The Städel Museum in Frankfurt has reunited one of Germany’s most significant medieval sculptures, the Altenberg Madonna, with the historic Altenberg Altarpiece after a century of separation. The rare 14th-century Virgin and Child figure, known for its exceptionally preserved original paintwork, was acquired with support from major cultural foundations and sponsors.
Dating back to around 1320–1330, the sculpture once formed the central shrine of the Altenberg Abbey altar. While the museum has owned the painted wings of the altarpiece for decades, the Madonna itself remained in private ownership before being displayed on long-term loan in Munich. Its return now completes the original altar ensemble for the first time in modern history.
Museum director Philipp Demandt described the acquisition as a landmark moment, noting that the artwork’s reunification restores an essential chapter of medieval German art. Cultural organisations involved in the purchase said the goal was to preserve a nationally significant object and make it permanently accessible to the public.
Art historians regard the sculpture as one of the finest examples of early Cologne craftsmanship, representing a popular Marian iconography of the Middle Ages. Its detailed gilding, symbolic lily motif, and references to Christ’s future Passion highlight both artistic innovation and the period’s religious storytelling.
With the altar now fully assembled, the Städel Museum plans to present the work as a central highlight of its medieval collection, reflecting both the spiritual heritage of Altenberg Abbey and the broader evolution of European church art.
