Mary and the Child

This statue has a well-preserved paint surface, which is why the X-rays stop at the surface layer. For example, gold plating and many colour pigments are not as permeable to radiation as a bare wood surface. Common medieval pigments that stand out well in X-ray images include, for example, white lead and vermillion (orange-red), which contains mercury.

The light circles that stand out on the edge of Mary’s cloak and also in the chest area are decorative themes. They were created by making raised shapes out of the priming mass. The larger rings on the top edge of cloak are also remains of decoration. Larger ornaments, similar to jewels, were probably attached to these points. A wide variety of techniques were used for finishing sculptures, striving to create three-dimensional shapes and a sense of luxury on the paint and metal surfaces.