The Würzburg sculptor and woodcarver Tilman Riemenschneider (c.1460-1531) worked within
established formal traditions yet succeeded in creating works of a kind that had never been
seen before. Against common practice he left many of his sculptures unpainted. This turned
them from life-like images of saints into works of art far removed from the everyday world of
the beholder. To see the intricate supremely carved details of Riemenschneider's sculptures
the play of light and shade on their glazed wooden surfaces and the moving expressions of the
figures'faces and gestures is as fascinating today as it must have been when they were
created. With the help of 217 black and white and 55 colour illustrations both of complete
works and of details this book gives a representative survey of the sculptures made by
Riemenschneider and his workshop.
