Dormition of the Mother of God from Barbara altar from the Kalanti church in Finland 1415

This limewood relief, depicting the Dormition of the Mother of God, was made by Master Francke, probably in the early 15th century, for a church in Kalanti, Finland. It illustrates Mary's death and assumption into heaven, a key event in Christian theology. The scene is rendered with an emotional intensity typical of the late Gothic style. The apostles gather around Mary's deathbed, their faces etched with grief. Above, angels ascend with her soul to heaven. Given its creation in northern Europe, it would be worth considering the ways in which specific Nordic religious practices and visual traditions might have influenced the work. Was this piece commissioned? If so, what were the social and economic backgrounds of the commissioners? What was the institutional role of the artwork? Understanding this artwork requires a close look at the historical context of its creation and reception. By consulting period documents, theological treatises, and art historical scholarship, we can better understand the Dormition’s significance.