Vesperbild (Piéta), Middle Rhine region, c. 1330, wood

Mary became a pivotal figure in Christian art during the late Middle Ages. The “Cult of Mary” is a term that described the new interest in elevating Mary to a more meaningful place in Christianity. In this case we are looking at a Piéta, or image of Mary grieving over her recently-crucified son, done in an expressive way.