By this, Bacon implied that the figures were conceived as a predella to a larger altarpiece.

Through the Renaissance period, the large altarpiece had a unique status as a commission.

Their commissions were mostly religious paintings, several of them being very large altarpieces showing the Madonna and Child.

In this period he also produced many religious works, including large altarpieces, and began his printmaking (see below).

Later in his life he also painted large altarpieces.

The central apse is decorated with a large altarpiece from 1762, which two bodies surround a 13th century window.

His main surviving works are two large altarpieces.

Both siblings received painting education from their father and were part of his studio, with Barbara assisting in such projects as work on large altarpieces.

In addition many surviving panels are either fragments or wings from lost larger altarpieces.

It is believed that Pacher was not the only artist who has contributed to this very large altarpiece.