0
A praedella is the panel (or panels) at the base of an altarpiece, same as predella. Often scenes from the life of Christ are depicted on the predella, or sometimes, as in Masaccio's Holy Trinity altarpiece, a skeleton intended to remind viewers of their mortality (called a "memento mori").
Praedella (Latin) is an ancient Roman form of platform, usually three steps in height. Upon the platform sat the Dias or throne of the Emperor. Now, like Basilica, we find praedellas in most Roman Catholic and other Christian churches. Often misnamed "the altar", the praedella is, rather, the platform upon which the altar of a church sits. The platform has spiritual significance for Catholics, in that, it represents the Apostolic tradition upon which the Catholic Church is founded or built.
