Mary, the mother of Christ, is regarded as the most important saint. The early church already started to worship her as Mother of God and for preparing the way for Christ. As the helper of Christians she enjoys great admiration. People turned to her for protection from the multiple perils of their time such as epidemics, famine and war against which they were defenceless. The worship of the Mother of God knew no social rank. Whether clergy, knights or burghers, all found comfort in Mary's sheltering mantle.
The Gothic style that disseminated all over Europe originally started in France. It was from here, too, that the culture of courtly minnesang created a new concept of women. It evoked the ideal of grace and beauty, which are symbols of both purity and completion. The cult of the Virgin Mary was deeply influenced by this. As the Queen of Heaven, the Mother of God was transformed into a noble lady - Notre Dame. Unlike hardly any other carving, the Admont Madonna exemplifies this ideal. Earthly beauty and celestial regality come together in perfect harmony.
