altarpiecespolyptychs

Altarpieces and polyptychs are works of art designed for display behind or above church altars. An altarpiece is a devotional image or narrative scene intended to be viewed by liturgical participants, often organized to reinforce the narrative of Christian salvation. A polyptych is a multi-panel version of an altarpiece, typically consisting of a central panel flanked by wings that can be opened or closed, and sometimes a lower predella with additional scenes. The term polyptych emphasizes the work’s multiple panels.

Historically, altarpieces and polyptychs were central to medieval and early modern European worship and art. They were most common in Italy and the Low Countries, though similar forms appeared across Europe. Panels were usually painted on wood, employing techniques such as tempera or oil, sometimes enhanced with gold leaf. The structure allowed a dynamic sequence of images: a central, often solemn main scene, with narrative or devotional scenes on the wings and an instructional predella below.

Common formats include polyptychs with hinged wings that could be opened for major feasts or closed for votive use, revealing a more intimate set of images on the interior. The central panel often depicted key sacred subjects such as the Virgin and Child, saints, or Christ in glory, while the wings offered complementary narratives. The rise of oil painting in the 15th century enabled brighter color and greater detail, influencing Northern and Italian workshop traditions.

Notable examples include the Ghent Altarpiece, the Isenheim Altarpiece, Duccio’s Maestà, and the Merode Altarpiece. Today, many remain in churches or museums, valued for their historical significance, technical skill, and devotional function, with ongoing conservation addressing issues of aging wood, pigment, and varnish.