Wiener Neustadt Altar
a.k.a. the Friedrich Altar, on the north side of the choir. Probably dating to 1447, it is believed to have been donated by King Friedrich IV, later Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich III, for the church of the Neukloster Cistercian monastery in Wiener Neustadt. It remained there until the 19th century, then was sold to St. Stephen’s. After the cathedral was damaged in WWII, it served as the high altar for a few years.
This 4-winged “convertible” choir is one of the largest Gothic winged altarpieces in Austria. When closed, the panels show pretty basic images of multiple saints. But when open, they show amazingly intricate scenes from the life of Mary: Annunciation, Visitation, Adoration of the Magi. The central panel shows her coronation in heaven (top) and depicted with the child Jesus (bottom), flanked by Saint Barbara (with tower) and Saint Katherine (with sword).
