Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
A painted or sculptural work displayed on or behind an altar in a church or chapel, often commissioned by patrons for devotional or commemorative purposes.
AP course connection
Topic 3.4: 3.4 Purpose and Audience in Early European and Colonial American Art