Large, elaborate artistic works (paintings, sculptures, or carved panels) placed on or behind an altar in a church.
From 'altar' + 'piece' (a work of art or composition), describing artworks that are integral parts of altar design and religious decoration.
The most famous altarpieces are Renaissance masterpieces that took artists years to complete—the Ghent Altarpiece and the Isenheim Altarpiece are so detailed that museums still discover new layers of meaning in them.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.