predella

noun

pre·del·la pri-ˈde-lə

: the base of an altarpiece

especially : one containing decorated panels depicting scenes related to the main panel or panels

Examples of predella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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This is the first time that the surviving scenes from the rear of the altarpiece’s base, called the predella, have been reunited. —

Christian K. Kleinbub, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2024 Saint Leopold and the predella appear to have been executed by another artist in the 1510s. —

Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2020 The companion predella paintings, once attributed to Lorenzo di Credi, are now thought to be partly the work of Leonardo da Vinci. —

BostonGlobe.com, 9 Mar. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Italian, footrest, altar step, predella, from Langobardic (Germanic language of the Lombards) *predel-, *pretel-, lath, board; akin to Old High German bret board, bort plank, ship's side — more at board entry 1

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of predella was in 1853

See more words from the same year