Wing Altar

 

"As a Lutheran church from before it was actually completed, the Marktkirche has only a limited number of art works inside. The main works, in addition to the two organ cases, are the altar, a large painting, the baptismal font, and the pulpit with its flamboyant sound board.

The wing altar of 1529 was probably designed by Lucas Cranach the Elder but was painted by his pupil Simon Franck. It can be shown in three versions:

•     Central painting with its sponsor Cardinal Albrecht praying in front of the Virgin with Child, side paintings of St Mauritius and St Alexander.
•     From left: Mary Magdalene, John the Evangelist, Augustine from Hippo, Catharine of Alexandria.
•     Central painting of the annunciation, left Ursula from Cologne, right Erasmus from Antioch.

On the predella is Mary with Child surrounded by the 14 Holy Helpers." -- European Traveler