St. John the Baptist standing behind donor, Hanns Baumgartner, and his family (one of a pair) 1528

This stained-glass panel, made by Hans Wertinger around 1528, depicts St. John the Baptist with Hanns Baumgartner and his family. At this time, the religious and social identities of families like the Baumgartners were publicly displayed through commissioned art. Note how Baumgartner is shown kneeling in full armor, signaling his status as a powerful man, while his wife is positioned behind him, a marker of gendered expectations. St. John stands tall, bestowing a blessing, embodying the intersection of religious authority and social hierarchy. The intimate family portrait is set against a backdrop of religious symbolism. The choice of stained glass is also significant; it was often used in churches to depict biblical scenes and stories. By portraying themselves in this medium, the Baumgartner family is aligning themselves with these narratives. The family is forever immortalized in a medium that was often used to tell biblical stories, a testament to their social standing and devotion.