The
Kefermarkt altarpiece is a richly decorated wooden
altarpiece in the
Late Gothic style in the parish church of
Kefermarkt in
Upper Austria. Commissioned by the knight Christoph von Zelking, it was completed around 1497.
Saints Peter,
Wolfgang and
Christopher are depicted in the central section. The wing panels depict scenes from the life of
Mary, and the altarpiece also has an intricate superstructure and two side figures of
Saints George and
Florian. The identity of its maker, known by the
notname Master of the Kefermarkt Altarpiece, is unknown, but at least two skilled sculptors appear to have created the main statuary. Throughout the centuries, it has been altered and lost its original paint and
gilding; a major restoration was undertaken in the 19th century under the direction of
Adalbert Stifter. The altarpiece has been described as "one of the greatest achievements in late-medieval sculpture in the German-speaking area". This image shows the upper-right wing panel of the Kefermarkt altarpiece, depicting the
Annunciation. Mary is portrayed kneeling in a praying stool inside a half-open structure, supported by unusually carved pillars, crowned above their capitals with figures which are probably intended to be prophets from the
Old Testament. The archangel
Gabriel is entering the structure, and holds a
speech scroll where parts of his greeting, the
Ave Maria, is visible. In the upper-left corner is a depiction of
God the Father among clouds and flanked by two angels. The panel originally also contained a dove, the symbol of the
Holy Spirit, but it has been lost.
Sculpture credit: Master of the Kefermarkt Altarpiece; photographed by Uoaei1
