Golden Madonna of Essen, Medieval statue in Essen Minster, Germany
The Golden Madonna of Essen is a wooden figure covered with thin layers of gold leaf and adorned with precious stones. The work shows Mary standing with the Child and stands out for its precious materials and skilled craftsmanship.
The work was created around 980 AD and is considered the oldest known Madonna sculpture north of the Alps. Its creation marked a turning point in the development of free-standing medieval sculpture in Europe.
The statue depicts Mary holding the Christ Child and continues to serve as a spiritual symbol for the Diocese of Essen. Worshippers view it as a connection to veneration practices that have persisted for centuries.
The work is housed in a climate-controlled display case in the cathedral and is accessible to visitors during opening hours. It is protected with high security measures and can be viewed from the left side chapel.
The gold sheets are secured with tiny golden bolts, showing an extraordinary crafting technique. This construction method was highly innovative for the time the work was created.
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