ALTARPIECE OF SAINT PETER

TYPOLOGY 

The altarpiece of St. Peter of Orduña comprises a predella with five compartments, the central of which is more than twice as wide as the lateral compartments, a main body with three vertical and two horizontal sections with wider and taller compartments on the lower, all of which gives the impression that the altarpiece has a staggered profile. Two slim pillars crowned with pinnacles holding figures of angels added during the restoration work carried out in the XIX century divide the vertical sections of the altarpiece. The socle with sacrarium and the carved frame were also added then.

The compartments on the pradella are framed by smaller, lowered arches whereas those on the main body are rounded arches with spandrels that, with their tracery panels to the rear and interior vaults, give the visual impression of a sort of chapel-like space.

The figure of the saint to whom the altarpiece is dedicated is covered by a hexagonal canopy that juts out from the main body, rather like the protective eave does. Both of these decorative elements would seem to refute the possibility that the altarpiece might have originally had wings, as has been suggested in the past.