The wing altar, around 1300 by unknown artists, in the Doberan Minster is considered the oldest surviving wing altar (Flügelaltar) in art history. As a Cisterian monastery church, this Hochaltar (high altar) was dedicated to Mary, Mother of Christ. This enclosed altar thus focused on events from the life of Mary. The left-wing illustrations are thus sometimes referred to as the Joys of Mary, e.g. events from the birth of Christ while the right shows the Sorrows of Mary, including the Passion of Christ. The figures from the center panel, where space was also used by monstrances and relics, were lost during the Thirty Years’ War. The scenes from the Old Testament and the row of apostles were added around 1360.
