Saint John sculpture by the Master of the Acker Altar Ulm 15th century

This Gothic sculpture depicts Saint John the Evangelist. It is distinguished by the finesse of its details, particularly in the treatment of the ample and fluid drapery, as well as in the wavy and curly hair of the saint, characteristic of the late Gothic style. Saint John is depicted holding a book, symbolizing his Gospel. His face, with delicate and meditative features, slightly idealized, reflects profound spirituality. This work, attributed to the Master of the Acker Altar (Meister des Acker-Altars), was exhibited at the Ulm Museum and bears an inventory number on its back corresponding to its loan. The sculpture displays the distinctive characteristics of this Master's chisel, including finely hollowed-out hair and a serene face, contrasting with the austerity of works by his contemporaries, Veit Stoss and Tilman Riemenschneider.

The Meister des Acker-Altars, active in Ulm between 1490 and 1520, is now identified by art historians (Gertrud Otto, Lore Göbel, and Heribert Meurer) as also being the Master of the Ulm Vespertolium (Meister des Ulmer Vespertoliums). A single artist, therefore, for a limited but homogeneous corpus.