WOHLGEMUTH, Michael, German painter: b. Nuremberg, 1434; d. there, 1519. He was an eminent member of the Fran conia school of German painting whose most complete representative is Albert Duren The latter was indeed his pupil in the large studio or workshop where many branches of art were carried on by the master and a host of pupils and assistants The occupations of this artistic association comprised altarpieces, consisting of paintings, or wood carvings in high relief ablaze with color and gilt, such as abound in Spanish churches under the name of refahlos; wood engraving , the blocks being cut from Wohlge math's designs, which were of supreme vigor and well adapted to the exigencies of printing from wood and easel paintings of portraits and history. Many paintings have been attributed to him which were evidently executed by the less skilful hands of pupils or assistants, but those whose authenticity is unquestionable are characterized by powerful drawing, rich and harmonious coloring and supreme delicacy of finish. His retable (1465), now in the Munich Gallery, is a remarkable masterpiece, and that which he furnished for the high altar of Saint Mary at Zwickau gained for the painter much applause and the then princely sum of about
.3,558. Another work of the same kind is to be found in Nuremberg Museum, having been originally painted for the churches of the Austin Friars at Nuremberg; his last retable was executed for the church at Schwabach (1508). His fidelity and grace as a portrait painter are acknowledged by critics, who recog nize in his realistic vigor and conscientious mastery of detail the best features of con temporaneous German painting. Two of his paintings, Pilate Washing His Hands Before the People' and a 'Descent from the Cross,' arc in the Royal Institution Gallery at Liver pool, but few works of this master are to be found elsewhere out of Germany. Consult Dickinson, H., 'German Masters of Art' (New York 1914); Stadler, F. J., 'Michel Wolgemut und der Nurnherger Holirschnitt' (Strassburg 1913); Thode, Malerschule von Nurnberg' (Frankfurt 1S91).