All of Ackermann’s sculptures were originally coloured, their faces and limbs pink, their eyes, eyebrows and hair brown or blond, and their lips red. What is extraordinary about the cathedral’s altar figures is the fact that their garments are completely gilded, which indicates the importance of the work and the size of the customer’s purse.

Christ’s body was originally flesh tone, his hair was dark blond, and his loincloth, the serpent and Adam’s skull beneath his feet were all gilded.