Assumption of Mary

Assumption of Mary Detail of Marienaltar in Herrgottskirche

The main theme of the Altar of the Virgin by Tilman Riemenschneider in the Herrgottskirche in Creglingen is depicted in the central scene: the Assumption of Mary (Marias Himmelfahrt).

Mary ascends to heaven in the presence of the twelve apostles, who are all portrayed as life-sized statues with different facial expressions, elaborate beards, and flowing drapery. In the empty space between the apostles and Mary flies an angel to convey the impression of distance and to emphasize that Mary is ascending.