236. Peter Parler of Gmünd (1330-1399),

Self-Portrait, Gothic, German, c. 1374-1380.

Stone bust, Choir triforium, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague.

 

 

Peter Parler Gmünd (1330-1399) was a German architect who is known for building the Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague. Upon the death of the original architect, Matthias of Arras, he became the master mason of the cathedral. Apart from this massive project he also constructed both the New Town of Prague,the Charles Bridge and all its towers, the All Saints Chapel in the Royal Palace of the Prague Castle as well as the Church of Our Lady in Nuremburg, which was built to replace the synagogue that was torn down in 1349 following the plague. Gmünd died in Prague in 1399 and was buried in the Saint Vitus Cathedral.