A Bishop Saint (Burchard of Würzburg?) c. 1515 - 1520

This limewood bust of a bishop saint was carved by Tilman Riemenschneider, a leading sculptor in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Riemenschneider worked in a period of great religious and social change in Germany. His carving of the Bishop Saint is part of a wider visual culture that bolstered institutional power. The Catholic Church had vast influence, and this sculpture served to reinforce its authority. Note the fine carving of his mitre and vestments, symbols of the bishop's status. The saint's solemn expression and raised hand convey a sense of spiritual authority and blessing. To fully understand this work, we need to consider the history of the Church in Germany. The Reformation was just around the corner, and artists like Riemenschneider were working in a world on the cusp of transformation. Examining church records, guild documents, and contemporary theological texts helps us to understand better how Riemenschneider’s art interacted with these social and institutional contexts.