Retablo

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A painted or sculpted altarpiece created for religious contexts, often depicting saints or biblical scenes arranged behind an altar
2. An ornamental structure usually found in churches, featuring artwork that enhances the spiritual atmosphere by illustrating religious narratives
3. A decorative artistic display located behind an altar that serves both aesthetic and devotional purposes, often richly detailed and colorful

Etymology: The Spanish "retablo" literally means "behind the altar." It comes from Medieval Latin "retrotabulum," built from "retro," meaning "behind," and "tabula," meaning "board" or "table," which in church usage referred to the altar itself. The carved or painted panels were set on the back of the altar and rose above it, so the name describes where the art stood rather than what it showed. English "reredos" describes the same kind of structure: a screen or decorative wall behind an altar. It was borrowed from Anglo-French "areredos," where "arere" meant "behind" and "dos" meant "back." The Latin and Anglo-French words were built from matching ideas in different languages, though English "reredos" usually refers to the wall itself rather than the painted panels.

Synonyms: altarpiece, reredos, panel, shrine, altar screen