The death of Mary

The Death of Mary — the Dormition — was one of the most important subjects in German Gothic and early Renaissance painting, depicting the Virgin's peaceful passing surrounded by the apostles, who were miraculously transported from their various missions to be present at her death. The scene was not scriptural but apocryphal, drawn from the Golden Legend, and it served as a theological affirmation of Mary's special status — even her death attended by apostles and angels. The Heisterbach master's treatment reflects Cologne's strong Marian devotional tradition, making this panel one of the emotionally richest in the altarpiece programme.

Tempera on panel. The Dormition's compositional demands are considerable: Mary recumbent at centre, twelve apostles arranged around her, often with Christ present to receive her soul. The Heisterbach master organises this complex grouping through vertical overlapping, creating a crowd sense without losing individual figure clarity.