Renaissance style altarpiece. Spain, 16th century and 20th century

Renaissance style altarpiece. Spain, 16th century and 20th century.
"Saint Lucia and Saint Agatha".
Carved, gilded and polychrome wood.
Active xylophages.
Measurements: 192 x 180 x 42 cm.

Renaissance altarpiece in carved, polychrome and gilded wood. The Renaissance artists of certain prestige received at some point in their lives a commission for an altarpiece, outside of an altar or chapel altarpiece. Here we find an altarpiece of architectural form, with two images of Santa Lucia and Santa Agueda on its plinth, flanking a central tondo with a Latin inscription. A semicircular arch presides over its central body and is framed by turned columns. A cornice embellished with vegetal elements culminates at the top. The ornamentation is characteristic of the Renaissance period, freely combining elements of Greco-Roman origin. Rockery motifs and foliated fretwork complete the decoration. Designed to be placed behind or above the altars of churches, retablos could be composed of painted panels, sculptures or both. They were intended to astound the congregation with striking images from biblical history. Those consisting of folding panels were kept closed for most of the year and were only fully revealed on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas.