51 - Altarpiece element; Spain, 18th century.

Altarpiece element; Spain, 18th century. Carved, gilded, and polychromed wood. Measurements: 174.5 x 62.5 cm; 211.5 x 100 cm. An architectural element from an 18th-century Spanish altarpiece, crafted from carved, gilded, and polychromed wood, notable for the rich ornamentation of its decoration and the combination of plant motifs and sinuous forms inspired by the Baroque style. The structure, with a distinctly vertical format, features a large interior surface framed by gilded moldings, while the corners and central points of the sides are adorned with profuse ornamentation consisting of volutes, scrolls, and carved plant motifs. The polychrome paintwork, in shades of green, ochre, and gold, lends depth and visual richness to the piece as a whole, with gilded wooden reliefs that structure the composition serving as hallmarks. Given its proportions and configuration, it could be part of a predella or an ornamental structure integrated into the body of an altarpiece.