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Saint Stephen

Tilman Riemenschneider1502–8

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States

This sculpture, along with that of Saint Lawrence (1959.42) and two others in Germany, are believed to be the remaining fragments of a large altarpiece carved by Riemenschneider for the Dominican convent in Rothenburg in Franconia (demolished in 1813). Saints Stephen and Lawrence both wear the dalmatic to indicate their status as deacons in the early church. Each holds a symbol of his martyrdom; here, Saint Stephen cradles some stones to indicate his death by stoning. Art in Germany through the early 1500s remained firmly anchored in the late Gothic style with its associated interests in realism. Riemenschneider was one of the most prolific and versatile sculptors of this style, a recognized master in both stone and wood. His flourishing workshop employed as many as 40 apprentices in sculpting, woodcarving, and painting. His sculptures are noted for the dreamy, melancholy, and introspective quality in their expressions, as well as their remarkable attention to detail.

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  • Title: Saint Stephen
  • Creator: Tilman Riemenschneider (German, active Würzburg, c. 1460–1531)
  • Date Created: 1502–8
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall: 93.5 x 35 x 23.5 cm (36 13/16 x 13 3/4 x 9 1/4 in.)
  • Provenance: Richard von Passavant-Gontard, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany, C. von Pannwitz, Bennebroek, The Netherlands, (Rosenberg & Stiebel, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Type: Sculpture
  • Rights: CC0
  • External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1959.43
  • Medium: lindenwood with polychromy and gilding
  • Fun Fact: Tilman Riemenschneider (c. 1460–1531) is probably the most famous German sculptor of the period around 1500.
  • Department: Medieval Art
  • Culture: Germany, Würzburg, 16th century
  • Credit Line: Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
  • Collection: MED - Gothic
  • Accession Number: 1959.43
The Cleveland Museum of Art

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