SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST ALTARPIECE

TYPOLOGY 

The architectural structure of this altarpiece is quite unusual. However, this may be partly explained by the fact that it had been commissioned by a private individual. The chronology of the altarpiece is also crucial, having been dated as pertaining to a period of transition for altarpieces dating from the end of the XV to the beginnings of the XVI century, but without having been conclusively identified as belonging to either of them. 

It is a monumental work that superimposes three very similarly-sized compartments contained within an architectural frame, thereby reducing the upward impact of the altarpiece. The centre section of the altarpiece also contributes to this impression with its single niche reserved for the image of the person after whom the altarpiece was named enhanced by a niched pedestal and surrounded by secondary reliefs arranged along an archivolt. The whole altarpiece forms an almost square shape, independent of which is the relief in the frontispiece which again has a straight profile and is of similar dimensions to those of the side sections.

Completing the structure is a locally-made plinth and two wings.