The Veit Stoss Altarpiece in Kraków

Masterpiece of late Gothic sculptural art

In February 2023, our foundation, in partnership with the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Krakow, received a financial grant under the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage’s “Digital Culture” program. The goal of the project “St. Mary’s Basilica with the Great Altar by Veit Stoss – a Jewel in the Crown of Krakow’s Treasures Digitally and Virtually in 3D” was to faithfully digitally recreate the Gothic architecture of St. Mary’s Basilica and its valuable interior furnishings, with particular emphasis on the Altar of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, regarded as a masterpiece of late Gothic sculpture.

Veit Stoss Altar: History and Significance

The Veit Stoss Altar, located in St. Mary’s Basilica, is one of the finest works of late Gothic sculpture in Europe. Created by the Nuremberg sculptor Veit Stoss between 1477 and 1489, the altar consists of a central section with carved figures and two pairs of wings: movable inner wings and fixed outer wings, adorned with bas-reliefs. The whole is complemented by a bas-relief predella and an openwork finial with a fully sculpted figure.

The altar’s iconographic program, developed by a theologian, focuses on the Virgin Mary and her role in the work of Salvation. The predella depicts the Tree of Jesse – the genealogy of Christ – and the monumental central scene shows the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary surrounded by the apostles. Above it is the Assumption, and in the finial, the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. The reliefs on the wings depict scenes from the life of Christ and Mary.

Digitization Process and Challenges

The project involved digitally and three-dimensionally reproducing the entire altar, including the division into individual panels of the wings and groups of figures from the main scene. Between 2015 and 2021, the altar underwent extensive restoration, providing an excellent opportunity for its digitization.

During the task, the latest measurement and visualization technologies were used, along with internet technologies such as a multilingual, responsive website. The project ensures interactivity for all types of audiences, with special attention to excluded individuals, in accordance with the WCAG 2.1 standard.

One of the biggest challenges was 3D scanning the altar using modern white light scanners and texturing with medium-format mirrorless cameras. Selecting and bringing a tracked lift with a basket boom into St. Mary’s Basilica right up to the altar also posed a significant challenge, requiring special care to conduct digitization work effectively and safely. Fortunately, the work proceeded without major disruptions, and the results can be viewed on a dedicated website.

Significance of the Project

The digitization project of the Veit Stoss Altar aims not only to protect and preserve this remarkable work for future generations but also to promote knowledge about it on an international scale. The digital recreation of the altar allows for its virtual tour, making this masterpiece accessible to a wide audience from around the world.

In the context of global challenges such as natural disasters or armed conflicts, digital documentation of artworks becomes an essential element of cultural heritage protection. The project also represents an important step towards increasing awareness of the value and significance of late Gothic sculpture and the role of St. Mary’s Basilica as one of Krakow’s most important monuments.

Through the realization of this project, the Veit Stoss Altar gains new life in the digital world, enabling better understanding and appreciation of its value by current and future generations.