SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST ALTARPIECE

ALTERATIONS 

The altarpiece has undergone many alterations, not only as far as its support is concerned, but also regarding its polychrome decoration. The lower probably painted wings are missing, as have the crestings that would normally decorate the upper parts of the sections in this type of work which would perhaps even have a figure in the main body of the altarpiece too. The lower body or predella has panel paintings representing five Apostles. These undoubtedly came from another altarpiece and were incorporated into this one in the XVIII century (ANDUJAR ORTEGA, L., 1995).

Regarding the polychrome decoration, the entire altarpiece was redecorated and re-polychromed in the XVIII century, hiding the original polychrome decoration and preventing the upper wings from being moved. A Rococo polsera used to frame the altarpiece, but that too was eliminated in the restoration work carried out in 1971. At the same time, patterns of trees found in the traceries made people think that the altarpiece had been transported in military campaigns and perhaps used to celebrate Holy Mass in the open air.