Hans Sixt or Sixtein or Sigstein from Staufen (von Staufen (c.1490 – c.1550) was a 16th-century German wood sculptor in the tradition of

Hans Wydyz Hans Wydyz or Weiditz the Elder (c.1470–1520) was a sculptor and artist operating in Germany in the early 16th century. His work is usually signed H. W. near the base. He sculpted mainly in wood and also created woodcuts. His work is not o ...

, remembered for his ornate altarpieces. Mid-20th century academics often (unhelpfully) refer to him simply as Staufen (his birthplace rather than his name).

Life

He lived in

Staufen im Breisgau Staufen im Breisgau (High Alemannic: ''Staufe im Brisgau'') is a German town in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district of Baden-Württemberg. It had a population of approximately 8,300 in 2019. General The city of Staufen im Breisgau lies in the ...

and worked nearby in

Freiburg im Breisgau Freiburg im Breisgau (; abbreviated as Freiburg i. Br. or Freiburg i. B.; Low Alemannic German, Low Alemannic: ''Friburg im Brisgau''), commonly referred to as Freiburg, is an independent city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With a population o ...

. He appears to have trained under

Tilman Riemenschneider Tilman Riemenschneider (c. 1460 – 7 July 1531) was a German sculptor and woodcarver active in Würzburg from 1483. He was one of the most prolific and versatile sculptors of the transition period between late Gothic and Renaissance, a master i ...

, or his followers, in

Würzburg Würzburg (; Main-Franconian: ) is a city in the region of Franconia in the north of the German state of Bavaria. Würzburg is the administrative seat of the ''Regierungsbezirk'' Lower Franconia. It spans the banks of the Main River. Würzburg is ...

. He then worked with under

alongside Wydyz's sons,

Hans Weiditz Hans Weiditz the Younger, Hans Weiditz der Jüngere, Hans Weiditz II (1495 Freiburg im Breisgau - c1537 Bern), was a German Renaissance artist, also known as The Petrarch Master for his woodcuts illustrating Petrarch's ''De remediis utriusque fort ...

and Christoph Weiditz. He worked with Wydyz's partner,

Hans Baldung Hans Baldung (1484 or 1485 – September 1545), called Hans Baldung Grien, (being an early nickname, because of his predilection for the colour green), was a painter, printer, engraver, draftsman, and stained glass artist, who was considered th ...

, who painted Sixt's carvings. His signed works begin in 1515. His most important work, the Locherer chapel in Freiburg Minster was begun in 1521 and completed in 1524. From 1534 he supplanted Wydyz as the principal sculptor in the area. He died around 1550 in Staufen.

Recognition

Sixtgasse in Staufen is named after him. In 1937 the playwright Hermann Ays wrote the play "Sixt von Stoufen".

Main Works

*''The Locherer Altarpiece'' in Freiburg Minster (1521 to 1524) *Angels behind the Levite Chair in Freiburg Minster (1527) *Decoration of the organ, Freiburg Minster (1530) * St Vitus altarpiece at Wasenweiler *Monument to Heinrich Glarean in Freiburg Minster *Figures on the historic shop in Freiburg In 1827

Johann Nepomuk Locherer Johann Nepomuk Locherer (August 21, 1773 – February 26, 1837) was a German Catholic theologian born in Freiburg im Breisgau. From 1790 he studied theology in Freiburg, and furthered his education at the seminary in Meersburg. In 1798 he received ...

commissioned Dominikus Glanz to alter the Locherer altarpiece including painting over the original paint scheme (probably by

in brown paint to better express the pure timber sculpture. This ill-advised change was partially reversed in a restoration of 1948.The Limewood Sculptors of Renaissance Germany by Michael Baxandall

References

German sculptors Freiburg im Breisgau Year of birth uncertain {{Germany-bio-stub