Thronende Maria mit Kind und Heiligenszenen

The Virgin and Child Enthroned, with Narrative Scenes

This is one of the earliest paintings in the collection. The Virgin is wearing a crown and is seated on a lion-headed throne. She holds Christ on her lap. In the corners are the symbols of the four Evangelists. The eight smaller scenes show episodes from the lives of saints: John the Evangelist in a cauldron of boiling oil and resuscitating Drusiana; the Nativity with the Annunciation to the Shepherds; Benedict rolling in brambles to overcome the temptation; Nicholas' warning to the pilgrims to throw away deadly oil given to them by the devil; Catherine beheaded and her body carried to Mount Sinai; Nicholas saving three men from being beheaded; and Margaret swallowed by a dragon.