alttarimaalauksina

Alttarimaalauksina, or altarpieces, are works of visual art designed to be displayed behind the altar in Christian churches. They function both liturgically and didactically, framing the celebration of the Eucharist and illustrating biblical narratives for the congregation. Traditionally they were composed as polyptychs—multiple panels hinged together—and often included a central image flanked by saints or donors, with a lower predella depicting additional scenes and a gilded or carved cornice above.

Materials and technique commonly include painted wooden panels using tempera or oil, with gold leaf and polychromy; later examples employ canvas mounted on panel or mixed-media elements. The form often combines painting, sculpture, and decorative architecture to integrate with the church interior and liturgical calendar.

Iconography typically centers on scenes from the life of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and saints, with the central panel serving as the focal point. Predellas below the main registers offered supplementary narratives or donors’ portraits. The style ranges from late medieval Gothic to Renaissance naturalism and Baroque drama, reflecting regional tastes and theological emphases.

History and development: altarpieces emerged in the late Middle Ages, expanded in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and adapted to changing liturgical and devotional needs. In Protestant regions, some altarpieces were simplified or replaced after the Reformation, while others persisted with altered iconography.

In Finland: alttarimaalauksina are part of church heritage. Surviving examples span Gothic to Baroque and later revivals, preserved in parish churches and museums. They illustrate regional artistic traditions and the broader European history of church art. Conservation and study focus on preserving paint, gilding, wooden supports, and the original liturgical function.