Imperial Tomb, 1499-1513: Extraction of the Stone

Detail of panel depicting the legend of the Extraction of the Stone. Henry II suffers from a stone embedded in his body, which had been inflicted by St. Benedict for sinning against the Benedictine order. Henry's physician failed to bring the king any comfort and both fell asleep. As they slept, St. Benedict cut the stone out with a knife. When Henry awoke, the stone was resting in his hand. Detail of the imperial tomb of Holy Roman Emperor Henry II (d. 1024) and Empress Kunigunde (d. 1033), both whom were canonized as saints by 1200. The tomb is the work of Renaissance artist Tilman Riemenschneider, 1499-1513. Bamberg Cathedral, Bavaria, Germany. Bamberg Cathedral, Bamberg, Germany.