Gothic masterpiece goes under the microscope

Photo: Jacek Bednarczyk (PAP)

The 13-metre-high altarpiece, which stands in the Basilica of St. Mary's on Krakow's Main Market Square, is being surveyed by a team of leading Polish conservators.

The decision to act was prompted by photographer Andrzej Nowakowski, who recently published an in-depth album about the Gothic treasure.

While photographing the altarpiece's many panels, Nowakowski noted faults in the figures, including missing digits and in some cases entire hands.

Nowakowski also found that much of the work was covered by a thick layer of dirt.

Although conservators stress that some of the damage took place in previous centuries, it cannot be ruled out that other problems are more recent, in spite of a restoration in 1999.

Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz in Polish) was an ethnic German who moved to Poland in 1477, winning commissions from both the Polish monarchy and the local burghers.

He took eleven years to complete the St. Mary's altarpiece, which is considered to be one of the finest works of Gothic sculpture in Europe.

St. Mary's was initially the church of Krakow's German community and the Nazis removed the altarpiece after the invasion of Poland in 1939.

After the war, the artwork was returned to Poland.

An in-depth report, containing recommendations on prospective conservation work, will be prepared following the completion of the current survey. (nh)