predella

[ pri-del-uh; Italian pre-del-lah ]

noun

, plural pre·del·le [pri-, del, -ee, p, r, e-, del, -le].

1. Fine Arts. the base of an altarpiece, often decorated with small paintings or reliefs.

predella

/ prɪˈdɛlə; preˈdɛlla /

noun

1. a painting or sculpture or a series of small paintings or sculptures in a long narrow strip forming the lower edge of an altarpiece or the face of an altar step or platform
2. a platform in a church upon which the altar stands

Word History and Origins

Origin of predella¹

First recorded in 1840–50; from Italian, from unattested Langobardic predel, pretel, derivative of pret- “board,” from Germanic bret-, source of Old High German brët ( German Brett ), Old English, Old Saxon bred “board, plank”); conformed in Italian to the diminutive suffix -ella; -elle, board

Word History and Origins

Origin of predella¹

C19: from Italian: stool, step, probably from Old High German bret board

Example Sentences

Most compelling of Mr. Viola’s existential views, pairing the universal with the quotidian, is his horizontal five-panel, flat-screen video “Catherine’s Room,” based in concept on the five-part predella of the “St. Catherine of Siena” altarpiece by the 15th-century Sienese painter Andrea di Bartolo Cini.

From New York Times

Both the Louvre and Worcester works are so-called predella panels—small paintings that run along the base of an altarpiece—from the “Madonna di Piazza” in Pistoia, Italy.

From Wall Street Journal

Both paintings—“The Annunciation” and “A Miracle of Saint Donatus of Arezzo”—were part of a predella, or supporting platform, beneath an altarpiece titled “The Madonna di Piazza,” completed between 1475 and 1485.

From Wall Street Journal

Predella’s attorney, Daniel Rice, says it’s a way to force senior firefighters to retire so younger employees can advance.

From Washington Times

The four were part of the altarpiece’s predella, a narrative sequence across the base of the altar.

From Los Angeles Times