Achim Simon examines Austrian painting at the end of the Middle Ages. In doing so, the mechanisms of influence of Dutch painting and the encounter between local tradition and foreign influences become exemplarily clear. Why was Dutch art so important for Europe, and how could it have such a significant impact? Achim Simon not only illustrates how the knowledge of Dutch models spread through artist migrations, art exports, and drawings, but also how artists assessed the role of models and how they adapted them in their works. Using written sources, he addresses questions regarding a medieval art theory, the assessment of originality, and a specific sense of style, making it clear that in the 15th century, there was a nuanced understanding of art not only in Italy but also north of the Alps. A crucial role in the appropriation of the Dutch style by Austrian painters was played by the different material and technical foundations of the various painting schools. In the main part of the work, Achim Simon analyzes the reception of Dutch works in the various art landscapes of Austria. The author highlights the diverse adaptation of Dutch models and presents a nuanced picture of the motivations and functioning of late Gothic painting. The great virtue of this book is the revelation of the vast diversity of Austrian reactions to Western influences and the widespread trend for increasing realism that emerged in the mid-century.