Altarpiece
/ˈɔːl.tər.piːs/noun
A painted or carved work placed above or behind an altar in a church.
Did you know?Altarpieces were often treated as visual theology: in medieval and Renaissance churches, they could function like sacred storyboards, dazzling worshippers with saints, miracles, and gold to focus prayer.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
alter
“altar, a raised place for sacrifice or worship”
Late Latin
LL
altare
“altar”
Latin
LA
altus
“high, deep”
14th Century
English
altar
“a raised table or platform used for sacrifice or religious rites”
15th Century
English
altar piece
“a decorated panel or work placed at or behind an altar”
Modern English
English
altarpiece
“a work of art placed above or behind an altar”