The central closet of the Veit Stoss altarpiece
- Subject
- Late Gothic retable depicting scenes from the lives of Mary and Jesus
- Author, school, workshop
- Wit Stwosz (ca. 1448-1533)
- Contributor
- -
- Style
- Late Gothic
- Date
- 1477-1489
- Type
- Altarpiece in the form of a pentaptych
- Material and technique
- Wood/carving, gilding, polychrome
- Size
- -
- Signatures and inscriptions
- -
- Identity number
- -
- Department
- -
- Links/analogies
- -
- Owner
- Saint Mary's Basilica in Krakow
- Copyright
- Saint Mary's Basilica in Krakow
- Location
- Saint Mary's altar (by Wit Stwosz) in the presbytery
- Description
- Inside the altar cabinet is a monumental sculptural group depicting the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary surrounded by the apostles, with the Assumption scene above it.
The scene of parting with the world is depicted in a formula that emphasizes its miraculous nature: the Mother of God does not rest on a mortal bed, but faints (falls asleep) in prayer, surrounded by twelve apostles. One of them supports the slipping Mary, while another forms a kind of canopy over her with entwined arms. Together, these three figures form a strong compositional axis, which at the same time has a symbolic meaning, finding its continuation in the image above. There, surrounded by angels, Christ accompanies Mary on her journey with her soul and body - another miracle - to heaven symbolized by an openwork forest of Gothic vimpergas, fials and florins. The whole is completed by carved figures of prophets, settling on the edges of the cabinet.
