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DEGLER, Hans - b. 1564 München, d. 1637 Weilheim - WGA

DEGLER, Hans

(b. 1564 München, d. 1637 Weilheim)

German sculptor, one of the leading sculptors active in Weilheim. He may have been born in Munich and he probably trained with Adam Krumpper (c. 1576-1582), with whom he later collaborated. At least 25 projects are either signed or documented and another 13 are attributed to Degler; unfortunately, only about half of these survive. Degler’s most famous and earliest creations are the high altar (1604), two side altars (1607) and pulpit (ca. 1608) in St. Ulrich und St. Afra, Augsburg. He also specialized in richly painted life-size statues of the Virgin and Child.

Altars in the Choir
Altars in the Choir by

Altars in the Choir

The light late-Gothic church interior of St. Ulrich and St. Afra is distinguished by the three multi-storey monumental carved altars by the Weilheim sculptor Hans Degler. Their structure derives from the type of the now lost tabernacle in the Dominican church of Augsburg which was built in 1518 in the Renaissance style. On a plinth running the breadth of the altar table rests a distinct tabernacle area. Above this rises a massive main storey in the style of a classical triumphal arch. It takes up the principal theme in its central arch, while saints in the pierced side arcades witness the event. Through the broken pediment of the attic storey rises another system of niches, which again supports the extension. On numerous projections, capitals, and volutes, putti and saints populate the altar structure.

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