Konrad Witz facts for kids
Konrad Witz (born between 1400 and 1410 in Rottweil, Germany; died in early 1446 in Basel, Switzerland) was an important German painter. He worked mostly in Basel. He is known for his detailed paintings, especially his altarpieces.
One of his most famous paintings is The Miraculous Draft of Fishes. It was painted in 1444. This painting is special because it shows a real landscape. It is one of the first European paintings to do this. Witz carefully observed the actual places to paint them.
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Konrad Witz's Main Works
Konrad Witz is most famous for painting three large altarpieces. An altarpiece is a work of art placed behind the altar in a church. Only parts of these altarpieces still exist today.
The Heilspiegel Altarpiece
His earliest known altarpiece is the Heilspiegel Altarpiece. He painted it around 1435. Most of its panels are now in the Kunstmuseum in Basel. Some other parts are in different art collections. One famous part of this altarpiece is The Knights Abisai, Sibbechai and Benaja Bring King David Water.
The Altarpiece of the Virgin
Next, Witz painted the Altarpiece of the Virgin around 1440. Pieces of this work are found in Basel, Nuremberg, and Strasbourg. One well-known panel from this altarpiece is Saint Madeleine and Saint Catherine. It is now in the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame.
The St. Peter Altarpiece
Witz's last major altarpiece is the St. Peter Altarpiece. He finished it in 1444. He painted it for St. Peter's Cathedral in Geneva. This altarpiece is now in the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire in Geneva. It includes his most famous painting, The Miraculous Draft of Fishes.
Other Paintings by Witz
The painting of Saint Christopher (shown above) does not seem to be part of these large altarpieces. Other works by Konrad Witz and artists who followed his style can be found in different cities. These include Naples, Berlin, and New York. For example, the Frick Collection in New York has some of his works. The Ambraser Hofjagdspiel, a set of playing cards, is also thought to be by him.
