Painting did not occupy a special position during the Gothic period. Due to the reduced wall surfaces of the buildings, there was also less space for paintings as decoration. The Gothic pointed vault was also less suitable for paintings.
Gothic painting served only as decoration, especially as painting walls was cheaper than tapestries.
The typical themes of a painting during the Gothic period were knightly sagas, courtly life, allegorical figures and coats of arms. Religious themes predominated and dominated the scene depicted. Panel painting on wood became popular, made for altars and devotional pictures of the nobility. The panel paintings were either single wooden panels or winged altars that could be opened.

The faces of the depicted persons were idealised according to the ideal of beauty: high forehead, thin neck and almond-shaped eyes.