Vischer Family of Nuremberg
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VISCHER, the name of a family sculptors active in Nuremberg between 1453 and 1549, who contributed largely to the masterpieces of German art in the 15th and 16th centuries. Attribution between them can be confusing since they worked together out of the same workshop. The fame of Peter Vischer the Elder seems to have caused the tendency of over attribution to him versus his sons and even non-family members.
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[edit] Hermann Vischer the Elder
Hermann Vischer, the Elder came to Nuremberg as a worker in brass in 1453 and there became a "master" of his gild. There is only one work that can be ascribed to him with certainty, the baptismal font in the parish church of Wittenberg (1457). This is decorated with figures of the Apostles. He passed away January 1488.
[edit] Peter Vischer the Elder
Hermann's son, Peter Vischer the Elder (see related article), is the best known member of the family. He worked with the help of his five sons, Hermann, Peter, Hans, Jakob and Paul.
[edit] Peter's son, Hermann Vischer the Younger
c.1486–1517 The tomb of Elisabeth and Hermann VIII of Henneberg, sometimes attributed to Hermann and other times to the workshop in general, in the Stadtkirche, Römhild is one the finest pieces produced by the workshop. The design appears to have been based on a drawing (3 versions exist) by fellow Nuremberg resident, Albrecht Dürer.
[edit] Peter's son, Peter Vischer the Younger
(1487 - 1528) Initially less well known, he has come to be seen as the equal in quality of his father with whom he worked. The tomb of the electoral prince Frederick the Wise in the Schlosskirche at Wittenberg (1521), previously thought to be by the Elder, is now thought to be by the Younger (Frederick the Wise's brother John the Steadfast was done by Hans Vischer at the same church).
The origin of the Nuremberg Madonna is disputed, and may not be Vischer's work at all.
[edit] Peter's son, Hans Vischer
Thought to be excellent craftsman but less talented artist. Upon the death of his father (Peter Vischer, the Younger had already died a year earlier as well as his brother Hermann in 1517), Paul inherited the business and immediately sold it to his brother Hans. He completed the works in progress by his father such as the bronze grave plate for Prince-Bishop Lorenz von Bibra of Würzburg. In 1549, Hans left Nuremberg closing the chapter on the Vischers of Nuremberg.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
- R. Bauer, Peter Vischer and das alte Nurnberg (1886)
- Cecil Headlam, Peter Vischer (1901).
