altarpieces

Refers to painted or carved image-bearing objects in a Christian church. Altarpieces are characterized by usually being framed and either set on the rear part of the altar abutting the back of the altarblock or hung on the wall behind the altar. Altarpieces may be set on both the central high altar and side altars. The subject of the image is typically a religious figure or figures, often included in a narrative or didactic scene; it may also include a patron of the church.