Highlights

Description

This altarpiece has three outstanding features. It is one of the earliest painted retables ever. The arrangement of the painting is also reminiscent of stained-glass windows: clear, luminous areas of colour are separated from each other by black outlines. Furthermore, in the central field under the arch, there are three crowns involved in the coronation of Mary. They presumably stand for the different roles of Mary in the salvation process, which are described in the theological interpretation as Virgin, teacher and sufferer with Christ. On each the side, the apostles are in intensive debate. Together with Mary, they represent the universal Church.