Maria mit Kind

1490s

Begins leaving the wood unpainted

Before the 1490s almost every sculpture was polychromed and gilded, usually by a painter; Riemenschneider, one of the first sculptors (other accounts say the first) not to have all his figures painted, employs no painters in his workshop but works regularly with independent ones, such as Jakob Mülholzer (cooperation verifiable from 1490/91 to 1514/15) and Martin Schwarz.

1494

His first wife dies

Anna Schmidt dies, leaving Tilman with three stepsons and a daughter; other accounts place her death ten years after the wedding, around 1495.

1497

Marries Anna Rappolt

In 1497 he marries Anna Rappolt; they have two daughters and three sons, all of whom seem to have inherited their father’s artistic talent (other accounts speak of one daughter). The marriage lasts nine years.

1500

Son born: Bartlmä Dill Riemenschneider

by 1500

A wealthy citizen with a flourishing workshop

By 1500 his reputation has brought wealth: he owns a number of houses in Würzburg and land with his own vineyards, and his workshop is estimated to have provided work for as many as 40 people.

1504

Elected to the Würzburg town council

He becomes a member of the sub-council (Unterrat) of the town, an office he holds until 1525 (other accounts say for about twenty years); it gives him social status and helps him obtain many large and profitable commissions.