circle of Tilman Riemenschneider Franconian, late 15th/early 16th century

mounted on later backing board

Broili, Schloss Mühlbach, Franconia inherited by the family of the present owner in the 1970's

 

The polychrome was cleaned by the restorers of the the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich in the 1980's and was probably refreshed in particular to the red colour. There are some small chips to the paintwork and losses consistant with age. The relief is now mounted on a later backing board and support and it has not been possibly to view the back of the relief.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present composition closely follows an engraving of circa 1475 by Martin Schongauer. The Virgin kneels before the infant Christ who lies on the voluminous drapery of her mantle. The shepherds are depicted within an arch holding their distinctive crooks whilst Joseph stands to the right holding a candle-lit lantern. This composition was reversed by Tilman Riemenschneider in the Aschaffenburg Nativity in Berlin, circa 1502-05  as well as in the right wing of the Creglingen altarpiece of 1505-1510, both illustrated in the Metropolitan Museum exhibition catalogue. Note also the similarity between the physiognomy of the shepherds and of St. Joseph and the head of St. Onuphrius from the workshop or by a close follower of Michael Erhart of Ulm who had such a profound influence on Franconian wood sculpture of the late 15th century.

RELATED LITERATURE
Tilman Riemenschneider, Master Sculptor of the Late Middle Ages, ex. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington and Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1999, no 26.