Veit Stoss altarpiece in Kraków

World War II A few weeks prior to the outbreak of the Second World War and the German occupation of Poland, the Poles took the altarpiece apart and stored its main statues in crates dispersed across the country. The altarpiece was restored several times in its history, not only after the end of World War II. For the first time, it was renovated before 1600, then in , 1932–1933, 1946–1949, 1999 and finally, in 2017. St. John Cantius in Chicago, a historic church in the 'Polish Cathedral' style contains a detailed copy of this masterpiece. This one-third scale copy is the largest and most detailed work of its kind, and was commissioned in 2003 as a tribute to the immigrants from the former Galicia region of southeastern Poland who founded the parish in 1893. ==Description==

The Veit Stoss Altarpiece is about 13 m high and 11 m wide when the panels of the triptych are completely opened. The realistically sculptured figures are 2.7 m (more than 12 ft.) high; each one was carved out of a tree trunk of lime (linden). Other parts of the altarpiece are made from oak wood, and the background is constructed of larch wood. When closed, the panels show 12 scenes of the life of Jesus and Mary. The scene at the bottom of the main altarpiece (centre) shows the Dormition of Jesus' mother, Mary, in the presence of the Twelve Apostles. The upper centre part illustrates the Assumption of the Madonna. At the very top, outside the main frame, the coronation of Mary is shown, flanked by figures of Saint Stanislaus and Saint Adalbert of Prague. The side panels show the six scenes of the Joys of Mary: ==Photographs==

Image:Altar_of_Veit_Stoss,_St._Mary's_Church,_Krakow,_Poland.jpg|Overview Image:Gothic altar veit stoss bordercropped.jpg|Centre of the altarpiece Image:20061006-03-023-Altar-02.JPG|Dormition of Mary Image:20061006-03-024-Altar-02a.JPG|Dormition of Mary, detail Image:20061006-03-025-Altar-03.JPG|Assumption of Mary Image:20061006-03-026-Altar-05.JPG|Coronation of Mary, with St. Stanislaus and St. Adalbert Image:20061006-03-029-Altar-07.JPG|Annunciation Image:20061006-03-028-Altar-08.JPG|Nativity scene Image:20061006-03-027-Altar-09.JPG|Three Wise Men Image:20061006-03-030-Altar-10.JPG|Resurrection of Christ Image:20061006-03-031-Altar-11.JPG|Ascension of Christ Image:20061006-03-032-Altar-12.JPG|Descent of the Holy Spirit ==After 2021 restoration==

Image:Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, St. Mary's (Main) Altar-L, 5 Mariacki square, Old Town, Kraków, Poland.jpg|Left wing Image:Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, St. Mary's (Main) Altar-centre, 5 Mariacki square, Old Town, Kraków, Poland.jpg|Centre of the altarpiece Image:Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, St. Mary's (Main) Altar-R, 5 Mariacki square, Old Town, Kraków, Poland.jpg|Right wing ==Notes==