description Thornham Parva Retable Overview
The Thornham Parva Retable is a painted medieval English altarpiece, generally dated to the fourteenth century and preserved in the Church of Saint Mary at Thornham Parva in Suffolk. Its long panel contains scenes from the lives and Passion of Christ, framed by decorative architectural forms. The retable is notable because relatively few large painted wooden altarpieces survived the destruction and alteration of English churches during and after the Reformation.
help Thornham Parva Retable FAQ
Where is the Thornham Parva Retable located?
The Thornham Parva Retable is currently preserved in the Church of Saint Mary at Thornham Parva in Suffolk, England. It remains one of the most significant surviving examples of medieval English panel painting in its original region.
What is depicted on the Thornham Parva Retable?
The long wooden panel contains vividly painted scenes from the lives and Passion of Christ, all framed by intricate decorative architectural elements. The artwork serves as a visual narrative for Christian worship typical of the era.
When was the Thornham Parva Retable created?
This painted medieval English altarpiece is generally dated to the fourteenth century. It survived the iconoclasm of the English Reformation and remains a rare artifact from that period.
Why is the Thornham Parva Retable historically important?
It is widely considered the longest and one of the best-preserved medieval altarpieces in England. Its survival provides art historians with invaluable insight into 14th-century English painting techniques and religious iconography.
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