The Altarpiece of Veit Stoss in Krakow

The Altarpiece by Veit Stoss, created between 1477 and 1489, is the largest Gothic altarpiece in Europe, located in St. Mary's Basilica in Kraków. Its history begins in 1442, following a disaster that destroyed the vault of the church's chancel. Although it is unknown what decoration adorned the altar before this event, there are records indicating plans for its reconstruction. Veit Stoss, a sculptor from Swabia, was commissioned to create the new altarpiece, despite being relatively unknown at the time. The work took 12 years, and its progress satisfied the patrons, resulting in the artist being exempted from taxes. The golden and colorful elements of the altarpiece combine mysticism with naturalistic realism, depicting the daily life of medieval Kraków. The altarpiece features over 200 figures carved from linden wood, while the entire structure is made of oak, with a background of larch. The main scene depicts the Dormition of the Virgin Mary surrounded by apostles, with a remarkable density of figures enhancing its expressiveness. The altarpiece also had movable wings illustrating the Joys of Mary and scenes from the lives of Mary and Jesus. It has been restored multiple times, most recently between 2015 and 2021, which allowed for the restoration of the original period coloration and the discovery of an inscription with the date "1486." The altarpiece also holds cultural significance, serving as the inspiration for Antonina Domańska's novel and Józef Świder's opera. Postage stamps have also been created based on this artistic work, documenting its heritage. In 1939, the altarpiece was partially dismantled and hidden to protect it from destruction during World War II. After the war, it was returned to Kraków, where it was conserved and eventually reinstalled in St. Mary's Basilica.