PETER VISCHER
had married Count Hermann VIII. of Henneberg,
and it is doubtless due to this relationship that the
double tomb of husband and wife at Romhild was
made from the same sketch and by the same crafts-
man as the memorial at Hechingen. It was in-
deed probably the earlier of the two. So at least
Bergau argues, from the fact that it is nearer to
the original sketch by Diirer. The Count, in this
version of the design, holds a banner, the floating
folds of which form an efficient background. The
drapery of the Countess instead of being gathered
up into her hands is caught up to her sides in
graceful flowing folds.
Peter Vischer knew how to make a thrifty use
of accomplished models. Here, as originally at
Hechingen, he repeated the symbols of the four
Evangelists which he had used for his Magdeburg
masterpiece. The tomb stands upon six vigorous
and life-like lions, and, says Liibke, among the
various saints who are ranged round the sarco-
phagus is a Madonna pressing to her breast the
Holy Child, who is turning with a quick and very
natural movement towards the eldest of the three
kings who bring gifts. These areall figures quite
in the best manner of Peter Vischer’s early style.
And several of the other saints are almost equally
good. As usual the details are worked with
admirable skill.
The following letters are engraved on this tomb :
M. F. W.S. 15 C. Débner was inspired to in-
terpret them thus: “Meister Fischer und Fiini
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