Circle of Martin Schaffner (c. 1478-1549), Upper Swabian, Ulm, circa 1520-1530

with two labels numbered: 330 and 104D on the reverse

Gustav D. Manskopf, Frankfurt;
sold F.A.C. Prestel, Frankfurt, 12 July 1919, lot 370;
Bought by Jacob Rosenbaum for 3100DM;
Collection Dr Albert and Hedwig Ullmann, Frankfurt, 1919;
and thence by descent to the present owners

There is dirt and some wear to the surface of the relief consistent with age. There are several small losses to the paint and minor areas of restoration. Wormholes are visible throughout which is consistent with age and material. The relief curves in a convex manner due to warping consistent with age and material. Due to the warping there are some stable splits visible on the reverse of the relief, one of which (in the centre running down from the upper edge) is visible on the front. All splits are covered with glue or cloth for stabilisation. There is a later insert on the right side of the relief next to the angel and there are small areas of restoration to Christ's nose and the edge of the proper left wing of the angel. One small piece from the top right corner of the relief is loose. There are several minor losses due to worming including to the edges of the relief, edges of the drapery, foliage in the trees and proper left wing of the angel. The polychromy has some minor flaking including to the vessel from which John is pouring, the edges of the angel's wings and to the water at Christ's feet. A wire for mounting is fixed to the reverse 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."

This fine panel from the wing of an altarpiece was once part of the remarkable collection of Albert and Hedwig Ullmann. As the director of the Cassella chemicals and pharmaceuticals firm, Albert Ullmann amassed an impressive fortune, much of which was invested in great art. His wife Hedwig clearly exerted much influence on the collecting as she wrote a catalogue and accompanied each entry with perceptive art historical thoughts. The German late medieval wood sculpture was one of the collection's strongest categories: the present relief accompanied two female figures by Tilman Riemenschneider, a pair of saints by the elder Syrlin and several other carvings from important regional schools such as Ulm, Cologne, the Alsace and Tirol.

Frau Ullmann entered the present relief in her inventory of the "Kunstsammlung" (unpublished, p. 107) as follows:
"1 Holzrelief 'Taufe Christi' (n.370). Christus steht nackt in einen Bache der von einer befestigten Stadt hergeflossen kommt. Neben ihm Johannes aus einer Kanne Taufwasser uber ihn schuettend. Zur anderen seite ein Engel ein Gewand haltend. Hingewesen sei auf d. entzueckende Landschaft d. hintergrundes Lindenholz flachrelief.  Die alte Bemalung und vergolding sind gut erhalten.    Niederbayerish richtung d. Leinberger schule von Salzburg beinflusst. 1510 - 20.
Auktion Mauskopf bei F.A.C. Prestel, Frankfurt 11 Jul 1919.
Preis auf d. auktion M3100 gekauft von  J. Rosenbaum"

The Ullmanns's attribution is understandable. The sense of depth and attention to detail in the background are often found in low relief carvings from the Leinberger school. However, several elements suggest the relief's origin lies further southeast in Ulm. Particular parallels can be drawn between the present relief and carvings by the painter-sculptor Martin Schaffner from Ulm. The flattened bone structure of St. John and the friendly rounded features and slight turn of the head of the angel compare closely to the bearded king and the Virgin in a large relief with the Adoration of the Magi by Schaffner kept in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich (inv. no. 34/2414-15). Note also the long, nearly straight drapery folds. The fluttering ends of St John's belt and Christ's perizonium are further Swabian traits even though they are usually ascribed to the more southern school of Jörg Lederer. Like many other carvings in relief, the composition was probably taken from a print. See for example Schongauer's Baptism (Lehrs 8). 

RELATED LITERATURE
M. Lehrs, Martin Schongauer. Nachbildingen seiner Kupferstiche, Berlin, 1914; F. Lübbecke, 'Die Sammlung Ullmann zu Frankfurt a. M. I. Die Mittelalterliche Plastik', Der Cicerone, vol. VIII, no. 19/20, 1916, pp. 379-399; Um Leinberger. Schüler und Zeigenossen, exh cat. Spitalkirche Heiliggeist, Landshut, 2007, pp. 74-82; T. Müller, Die Bildwerke in Holz, Ton und Stein von der Mitte des XV. bis gegen Mitte des XVI. Jahrhunderts, cat. Bayerischen Nationalmuseums, Munich, 1959, pp. 241-243, nos. 246-247; T. Müller and A. Schädler, Jörg Lederer. Ein Allgäuer Bildschnitzer der Spätgotik, Kempten, 1963, p. 60, 128-129, no. A22;