altarpiece
Sanctuary focal point
An altarpiece is a work of art—typically a painting, sculpture, or carved panel—placed behind or above an altar in a Christian church.
Altarpieces range from simple single panels to elaborate multi-paneled structures called triptychs or polyptychs: The church's Renaissance altarpiece depicts the Crucifixion flanked by saints.
Altar's decorative backdrop
- triptychArt in three panels
- diptychHinged two-part artwork
- polyptychMulti-panel hinged artwork
- tabernaclePortable sacred dwelling
frame · panel · wings · side panels · pinnacle · gable · folding · hinged
Pigment on canvas
- temperaEgg-yolk painting method
- oilSlippery viscous fluid
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- gold leafUltra-thin decorative metal
gesso · woodcarving · relief · sculpture · iconography · brushwork · composition · restoration
Protected sacred space
- chancelAltar-adjacent clergy space
- apseVaulted church recess
- chapelSmall worship room
- cathedralBishop's principal church
church · basilica · mass · liturgy · Eucharist · communion · consecration · veneration
Payment for services rendered
- donorOne who contributes freely
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
- confraternityLay religious association
inscription · dedication · coat of arms · portrait · merchant · nobility · votive · endowment
retable
Altar's decorative backdrop
tabernacle · frame · panel · wings · side panels · pinnacle · gable · folding · hinged · carved
painting
Pigment on canvas
gold leaf · gesso · woodcarving · relief · sculpture · iconography · brushwork · composition · restoration · conservation
sanctuary
Protected sacred space
cathedral · church · basilica · mass · liturgy · Eucharist · communion · consecration · veneration · devotion
commission
Payment for services rendered
- donorOne who contributes freely
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
confraternity · inscription · dedication · coat of arms · portrait · merchant · nobility · votive · endowment · contract
Bellini
Italian artistic dynasty name
- picturespicture, photograph, photo, image, pic
- Fine Artoil painting, portrait, landscape, sketch, watercolor
- paintingoil painting, watercolor, acrylic paint, oils, oil paints
- art museumpaintings, old masters, exhibition, drawings, permanent collection
- artworksoil painting, watercolor, portrait, drawing, sketch
- art termspainting, sculpture, drawing, portrait, landscape
altarpiecepew
Worship hall seating
nave · narthex · baptismal font · pulpit · choir stalls
- Ghent AltarpieceMedieval polyptych in Belgium