than attempting to inflict alien values on confused or re-
sistant proselytes. Ricci also impressed the Chinese with
many European innovations, including clocks and maps.
His methods upset the religious hierarchy in Europe, but
delighted the Chinese. He wrote a number of works in
Chinese, notably The True Doctrine of God (1595), and
translated Christian texts for missionary work into their
language. Ricci wrote his own account of his missionary
travels around China in Dell’Entrata della Compagnia di
Gesù e Cristianità nella Cina (1609). He died and was
buried in Beijing. The earliest biography of him was writ-
ten in Portuguese by his confessor, Sabatino de Ursis, in
Beijing in 1611.
Riccio, Andrea di Ambrogio Briosco (c. 1470–1532)
Italian sculptor and goldsmith
Born in Trento, Riccio was probably a pupil of Bartolom-
meo BELLANOand an assistant of DONATELLO, and had set-
tled in Padua by about 1497. His most famous work is the
sumptuous bronze Easter candelabrum in San Antonio at
Padua (1507–16), which is notable for its classical figures
and technically brilliant decoration. He also executed
many small bronze statuettes in the humanist style then
prevalent in Padua, including Boy Milking a Goat
(Bargello, Florence), Shouting Warrior on Horseback (Vic-
toria and Albert Museum, London), and Arion (Louvre,
Paris). He also executed numerous small items in terra-
cotta.
Richier, Ligier (c. 1500–1567) French sculptor
Born at St. Mihiel, Richier worked mainly for the dukes of
Lorraine, but in later life became a Protestant and was
compelled to move to Geneva. The tomb (1545) of René
de Chalons in the church of St. Etienne at Bar-le-Duc is
considered to be Richier’s masterpiece, featuring a grue-
somely realistic cadaver. There is a wooden Christ by
Richier in the church of Notre-Dame in the same town,
and a Christ carrying the Cross in the church of St. Martin
at Pont-à-Mousson is also attributed to him. His recum-
bent effigy of Philippe de Gueldres, Duchess of Lorraine
(died 1547), is in the former church of the Cordeliers,
Nancy. He also sculpted an Entombment (1553) for the
church of St. Etienne in his native town.
Riemenschneider, Tilman (c. 1460–1531) German
woodcarver and sculptor
Although born in Osterode am Harz, Riemenschneider
was based in Würzburg from 1483, eventually becoming
mayor of the town (1520–21). He is particularly famous
for his beautiful limewood carvings, both individual
figures and whole altarpieces, which combine the power-
ful emotionalism of Veit STOSSwith Adam KRAFT’s vigor-
ous realism. Of his works in stone, the most famous is
in Bamberg cathedral, the magnificent marble tomb
(c. 1513) of the cathedral’s founder, Emperor Henry II
(died 1024) and his wife Cunigunde. As well as his
major commissions for Würzburg and Bamberg, Riemen-
schneider also produced work for churches in several
neighboring towns: an altarpiece for Münnerstadt
(1490–92), a triptych for Windsheim (c. 1508), and a
sandstone Lamentation group for Maidbronn (1519–23),
among others.RRiieemmeennsscchhnneeiiddeerr,, TTiillmmaann 4 41133Tilman RiemenschneiderMary Salome and Zebedee
(c. 1520). These glazed limewood figures formed part of
a group of the Holy Kindred.
V & A Picture Library