Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/206

 194 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE A citizen of Nuremberg named Martin Ketzel made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the year 1477 in order to measure the exact distance between Pilate's house and Mount Calvary. Having lost the measure on his way home, he made a second pilgrimage in 1488, and in 1490 he commissioned Adam Kraff't to erect seven stone pillars between his own house (afterwards known as Pilate's House) and the St. John's Cemetery according to the measure brought home. On each pillar was a large representation in relief of a scene from the Passion, with a descriptive inscription and its exact distance from Pilate's house. They are most remarkable and touching groups, particularly the last, on which is inscribed: 'Here lies Christ dead before His Blessed Mother, who with heart-broken grief weeps and mourns.' The reclining dead body is carefully and tenderly supported by Joseph of Arimathea. The sorrowful mother draws the head, from which the crown of thorns has just fallen, towards her. Mary Magdalen, at the Saviour's feet, wets the winding-sheet with her tears. Each figure represents the deepest and sincerest feeling. The clothing is copied from the dress of the citizens of Nuremberg, which increases the realistic impression of the group. A representation of the burial of Christ, executed by the same artist by order of the art-connoisseur and curator Sebald Schreyer in the year 1492, is cha- racterised by the same dignity and devotional feeling, with even greater grace of execution. Between the years 1496 and 1500 Krafft received a commission from Hans Imhoff to construct a tabernacle for the Church of St. Lawrence. It was sixty-four feet high and was supported by three kneeling figures, for which the