Vischer, Peter

Vischer, Peter a celebrated German sculptor, was born about 1460. He pursued his studies in Italy, where he resided several years. His first great work was his monument to the archduke Ernest of Magdeburg, erected in the cathedral of that place in 1497. Vischer ultimately settled in Nuremberg, where he lived with his five sons. His masterpiece is the Tomb of St. Sebald, in the church of that saint at Nuremberg. Among other figures in this work are twelve small statues, eighteen inches high, of the apostles, which are conspicuous for their fine expression. In one part of it the artist introduced his own portrait in his working dress. He was occupied in this work thirteen years, and received for his own labor and that of his sons only 2402 florins, He executed sore other works of great excellence at Nuremberg, and died in 1530. See Spooner, Biog. Hist. of the Fine Arts, s.v.