Altarpiece

Altarpiece
Altarpiece
A picture of some sacred subject painted on the wall or suspended in a frame behind the altar, or a group of statuary on the altar

Catholic Encyclopedia. . 2006.

Altarpiece
    Altarpiece
     Catholic_Encyclopedia Altarpiece
    A picture of some sacred subject painted on the wall or suspended in a frame behind the altar, or a group of statuary on the altar. In the Middle Ages, instead of a picture or group, the altar-piece consisted in some churches of embossed silver or gold and enamelled work set with jewels. Sometimes the piece was set on the altar itself. If the altar stood free in the choir, and the altar-piece was to be seen from behind as well as from before, both sides were covered with painting (Norton, Church Building in the Middle Ages). The decorated screen, retable or reredos is also called an altarpiece. (See ALTAR-SCREEN)
    A.J. SCHULTE
    Transcribed by Michael C. Tinkler

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VIII. — New York: Robert Appleton Company. . 1910.


Catholic encyclopedia.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Altarpiece — Al tar*piece , n. The painting or piece of sculpture above and behind the altar; reredos. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • altarpiece — ► NOUN ▪ a painting or other work of art set above and behind an altar …   English terms dictionary

  • altarpiece — [ôl′tərpēs΄] n. an ornamental carving, painting, etc. above and behind an altar …   English World dictionary

  • altarpiece — /awl teuhr pees /, n. a painted or carved screen behind or above the altar or communion table in Christian churches; reredos. [1635 45; ALTAR + PIECE] * * * Painting, relief, sculpture, screen, or decorated wall standing on or behind an altar in… …   Universalium

  • Altarpiece — An altarpiece is a picture or relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the altar of a church. The altarpiece is often made up of two or more separate panels created using a technique known as panel painting. It is… …   Wikipedia

  • Altarpiece —    A painted or sculpted panel that either stands on the altar of a church or hangs above it, its primary function being to serve as visual focus during meditation or prayer. Altarpieces created in Italy during the 14th and 15th centuries often… …   Dictionary of Renaissance art

  • altarpiece — [[t]ɔ͟ːltə(r)piːs[/t]] altarpieces N COUNT An altarpiece is a work of art behind the altar in a church …   English dictionary

  • Altarpiece of Veit Stoss — The altarpiece of Veit Stoss The Altarpiece of Veit Stoss (Polish: Ołtarz Wita Stwosza, German: Krakauer Hochaltar), also St. Mary s Altar (Ołtarz Mariacki), is the largest Gothic altarpiece in the World and a national treasure of …   Wikipedia

  • altarpiece — noun Date: 1644 a work of art that decorates the space above and behind an altar …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • altarpiece — noun a work of art suspended above and behind an altar in a church …   Wiktionary

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