Mary stands with her upper body slightly leaning back, holding the naked Christ Child in her arm. Beneath her widely outspread cloak, she offers protection to small figures. Mary and the Christ Child appear as divine beings—graceful and benevolent—and are rendered with great care. The figures seeking protection, by contrast, appear serious and stocky and are comparatively coarsely carved.

The motif of the so-called “Virgin of Mercy” developed in reference to contemporary legal practice: women of high status could grant protection to those being persecuted by sheltering them within their cloak. This idea was transferred to Mary, who is regarded as an intercessor for the faithful.

But why did the sculptor hollow out the back of the figure? The sculpture was originally installed as a wall-mounted figure in the church of Herlazhofen (Allgäu). The hollowing not only reduced its weight but also helped to relieve tension in the wood and thus prevent cracking.