Villacher Werkstätten#

Villacher Werkstaetten, important Carinthian wood-carving workshops of the late Gothic era, particularly famous for numerous outstanding winged altars, some of which were even commissioned from outside Carinthia. Information about the earliest workshop is scarce (around 1485-1500), its chief master was most likely L. Tausmann, who is mentioned in a document of 1497. Its works in Carinthia include the winged altar-pieces in Ossiach (around 1510), Friesach (church of the Teutonic order, 1510-1515) and Maria Gail (1510-1515). The latest workshop was at its artistic peak around 1510-1530. Its works are distinguished by the harmonious and sensuous curves of bodies and garment folds, by bright coloration and traces of forms found in Italian Renaissance, later abundant ornaments. This studio had a high output, its main master was probably Master Heinrich, mentioned in documents of St. Lambrecht abbey (Styria) in the years 1503, 1511 and 1523. Some of its winged altar-pieces can be found in Carinthia, for example in Seltschach (around 1514), Althofen (around 1511-1520), Maria Elend im Rosental (around 1516), Maria Saal (around 1520-1522, called "Arndorf altar"), St. Wolfgang ob Grades (around 1520), and in Styria, for example in the Abbey of St. Lambrecht (e.g. Auxuliary Saints altar, probably 1523) and in the Joanneum museum in Graz (around 1525, "Fohnsdorf altar").

Literature#