Vischer Family of Nuremberg
Encyclopedia
Vischer is the name of a family of sculptors active in Nuremberg
between 1453 and 1549. The family 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.
(1457). This is decorated with figures of the Apostles. He died January 1488.
, is the best known member of the family. He worked with the help of his five sons, Hermann, Peter, Hans, Jakob and Paul.
Hermann Vischer, the Younger (c.1486–1 January 1517) was the son of Peter Vischer the Elder. The tomb of Elisabeth and Hermann VIII of Henneberg in the Stadtkirche of Römhild
is sometimes attributed to Hermann and other times to the workshop in general.
at Wittenberg
(1521), previously thought to be by the Elder, is now thought to be by the Younger.
The origin of the Nuremberg Madonna is disputed, and may not be Vischer's work at all.
in the Schlosskirche
at Wittenberg
. Brother Peter the Younger had done the tomb of John's brother Frederick the Wise at the same church.
Upon the death of Peter the Elder in 1529 (Peter the Younger and Hermann had already died), the business was inherited by Peter's son Paul. He immediately sold it to his brother Hans, who completed the works in progress by his father. This included 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.
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
between 1453 and 1549. The family 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
Peter Vischer the Elder
Peter Vischer the Elder was a German sculptor, the son of Hermann Vischer, and the most famous member of the noted Vischer Family of Nuremberg....
seems to have caused the tendency of over attribution to him versus his sons and even non-family members.
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 WittenbergWittenberg
Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a city in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the river Elbe. It has a population of about 50,000....
(1457). This is decorated with figures of the Apostles. He died January 1488.
Peter Vischer the Elder
Hermann's son, Peter Vischer the ElderPeter Vischer the Elder
Peter Vischer the Elder was a German sculptor, the son of Hermann Vischer, and the most famous member of the noted Vischer Family of Nuremberg....
, is the best known member of the family. He worked with the help of his five sons, Hermann, Peter, Hans, Jakob and Paul.
Hermann Vischer the Younger
Römhild
Römhild is a municipality in the district of Hildburghausen, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated 14 km west of Hildburghausen, and 21 km southeast of Meiningen.In the Stadtkirche of Römhild is the tomb of Elisabeth and Hermann VIII of Henneberg...
is sometimes attributed to Hermann and other times to the workshop in general.
Peter Vischer the Younger
Peter Vischer the Younger (1487–1528) was another son of Peter Vischer the Elder. 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 SchlosskircheAll Saints' Church, Wittenberg
All Saints' Church, commonly referred to as Schlosskirche, meaning "Castle Church" — to distinguish it from the "town church", the Stadtkirche of St. Mary — and sometimes known as the Reformation Memorial Church, is a Lutheran church in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany...
at Wittenberg
Wittenberg
Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a city in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the river Elbe. It has a population of about 50,000....
(1521), previously thought to be by the Elder, is now thought to be by the Younger.
The origin of the Nuremberg Madonna is disputed, and may not be Vischer's work at all.
Hans Vischer
Hans Vischer was the son of Peter Vischer the Elder. Hans was thought to be an excellent craftsman but a less talented artist. He built the tomb of John the SteadfastJohn, Elector of Saxony
John of Saxony , known as John the Steadfast or John the Constant, was Elector of Saxony from 1525 until 1532...
in the Schlosskirche
All Saints' Church, Wittenberg
All Saints' Church, commonly referred to as Schlosskirche, meaning "Castle Church" — to distinguish it from the "town church", the Stadtkirche of St. Mary — and sometimes known as the Reformation Memorial Church, is a Lutheran church in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany...
at Wittenberg
Wittenberg
Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a city in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the river Elbe. It has a population of about 50,000....
. Brother Peter the Younger had done the tomb of John's brother Frederick the Wise at the same church.
Upon the death of Peter the Elder in 1529 (Peter the Younger and Hermann had already died), the business was inherited by Peter's son Paul. He immediately sold it to his brother Hans, who completed the works in progress by his father. This included the bronze grave plate for Prince-Bishop Lorenz von Bibra
Lorenz von Bibra
Lorenz von Bibra, Duke in Franconia was Prince-Bishop of the Bishopric of Würzburg from 1495 to 1519. His life paralleled Maximilian I , who served as Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 to 1519, to which Lorenz did serve as an advisor....
of Würzburg
Würzburg
Würzburg is a city in the region of Franconia which lies in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. Located at the Main River, it is the capital of the Regierungsbezirk Lower Franconia. The regional dialect is Franconian....
. In 1549, Hans left Nuremberg closing the chapter on the Vischers of Nuremberg.