Altaarstuk van eikenhout, afgebeeld de stamboom van de heilige Anna, in de Sint-Salvatorskathedraal in Brugge, België before 1887

This oak altarpiece, depicting the family tree of Saint Anne, is located in the Saint Salvator's Cathedral in Bruges, Belgium. Created anonymously, its cultural significance lies in its representation of lineage and religious devotion. Altarpieces like these served as visual aids, reinforcing the Church's teachings and the importance of family in a tightly knit, religious society. The detailed carving would have been an impressive sight, demonstrating the wealth and artistic skill of the region during this time. Commissioned by a wealthy patron, the art piece would represent the values they wanted to be displayed. As historians, understanding this work requires diving into the social and religious climate of the period. By examining historical documents, religious texts, and other cultural artifacts, we can better understand the context in which this altarpiece was created and the meanings it held for its original audience.