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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 then called a Diptych , Triptych or Polyptych . Groups of statuary can also be placed on the altar. Sometimes the altarpiece is set on the altar itself.

If the altar stands free in the Choir , both sides of the altar-piece can be covered with painting. The Screen , Retable or Reredos are also commonly decorated.

Two most famous examples are the Byzantine Pala D'Oro in the Basilica Di San Marco , Venice and the Ghent Altarpiece (1432) by Hubert and Jan Van Eyck .


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