Geburt Mariae

Altdorfer sets this scene in a church. The large ring of angels dancing around the pillars opens up the complexly structured space. The painting may have served as a lively illustration for an altarpiece dedicated to St Anne. The shell-like vaulted apses reflect the contemporary architecture of the time. The later municipal architect of Regensburg was familiar with such designs and would certainly have known of Hans Hieber’s plans for the new pilgrimage church dedicated to the ‘Beautiful Virgin’.