Lena Rivera
A painting with four squares can be referred to as a polytych, a tetraptych, or a quadriptych. The term polytych is a general term for a work of art consisting of two or more panels, while tetraptych and quadriptych specifically refer to four panels. In a polyptych, multiple photos or canvases can be combined to form a single image or to create a collage or mosaic. This technique has been used for thousands of years, dating back to the Egyptians, who used it to transfer cartoons onto murals and alter the scale of any work in the same media. One famous painting with four squares is *Four Squares* by Kazimir Malevich, a turning point in abstract art and a flagship piece of the Suprematism movement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of canvases | 4 |
| Common names | Polytych, Tetraptych |
| Techniques | Split prints, canvas photo collage, photo mosaics, squaring |
| Notable examples | Four Squares by Kazimir Malevich |
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What You'll Learn
Polyptych, diptych, triptych, and tetraptych
A polyptych is a work of art, usually a panel painting, divided into multiple sections or panels. The term is derived from the Greek "poly" meaning "many" and "ptychē" meaning "fold". Polyptychs can have different names depending on the number of sections. A diptych is a two-part polyptych, a triptych is a three-part polyptych, and a tetraptych or quadriptych is a four-part polyptych. A pentaptych, on the other hand, has five parts.
Polyptychs have a long history in the world of art, with the earliest examples originating from Italy in the early 14th century. They were commonly used as altarpieces in churches and cathedrals, particularly during the Renaissance and Gothic periods. These large polyptych altarpieces could be folded, making them easier to transport and protecting them from damage during travel. Smaller polyptychs, such as the royal Wilton Diptych, were also created as personal works for the wealthy.
The majority of historical polyptychs feature religious subjects, but the format has also been used for secular themes, especially on ivory boxes or mirrors. Over time, the use of polyptychs in art declined as artists preferred to paint single scenes with unified backgrounds. However, some artists continued to create notable polyptychs even into the 17th century, such as Rubens' "Descent from the Cross" triptych and "Raising of the Cross" triptych.
In modern times, the polyptych format has seen a resurgence in popularity for portraits and other subjects, not only in paintings but also in photography and other media. The term "polyptych" can now encompass any work of art with multiple pieces, including sculpture, video, and text-based art forms.
In summary, polyptychs, diptychs, triptychs, and tetraptychs are all types of multi-panel artworks. While they were traditionally associated with religious altarpieces, they have evolved to encompass a wide range of artistic expressions across different media.
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Abstract art and the Suprematism movement
The term "suprematism" refers to an abstract art movement founded by Russian artist Kazimir Malevich in 1913. Suprematism is based on "the supremacy of pure artistic feeling" rather than the figurative depiction of real-life subjects. Malevich, inspired by new ways of thinking, rejected the idea that art should "copy nature" and instead envisioned abstract art reduced to its most fundamental geometric forms. The movement focused on the application of elementary geometric forms such as the square, the cross, and the circle, and explored the concept of non-Euclidean geometry, which defied logic by giving the illusion of fixed geometric forms floating or moving in space.
Malevich created the first works related to Suprematism in 1913 while working on the background and costume sketches for the Futurist opera "Victory Over the Sun". At the time, he was still heavily influenced by Cubo-Futurism, and Suprematism can be seen as an extension of Futurism's preoccupation with movement and Cubism's reduced forms and multiple perspectives. Malevich divided Suprematism into three stages: "black," "coloured," and "white," with the movement starting with the "black stage" and the "zero degree" of painting, as exemplified by his famous "Black Square" (1915). This painting, a black square on a white background, became the centrepiece of Suprematist art and one of the most radically abstract paintings ever created.
Suprematism was a radical experiment that came close to mysticism. The visual phenomena of the objective world were meaningless to Suprematists; instead, what was significant was feeling. They aimed to remove the real world completely to get the viewer to contemplate the world through the transcendental experience evoked by a totally stripped-down, abstracted art. This emphasis on reduced geometric forms also compelled viewers to consider the texture of the painted surface, which became a defining feature of the movement.
Suprematism was announced in Malevich's 1915 Last Futurist Exhibition of Paintings 0,10 in St Petersburg, where he and several others in his group exhibited 36 works in a similar style. To support the movement, Malevich established the journal Supremus, which received contributions from artists and philosophers. The publication, however, never took off, and its first issue was never distributed due to the Russian Revolution.
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Squaring: transferring images from one surface to another
Squaring is a simple technique used in painting to transfer an image from one surface to another. It can also be used to convert the image from one scale to another. Squaring has been used for thousands of years, with the Egyptians using this technique at least 5,000 years ago to transfer cartoons onto murals and preparatory drawings onto canvas paintings.
To use the squaring technique, the original work is divided into a given number of squares. The same number of squares is then marked on the surface of the receiving area using charcoal or another easily removable medium. This technique can be used to transfer an image onto a new surface or to alter the scale of the image.
When creating a four-piece painting, or tetraptych, each canvas can feature a different image or the same image split across four canvases. This display technique can add narrative suspense and heightened drama to the artwork. The canvases can be displayed symmetrically, side-by-side in a line, or randomly, depending on the feeling or emotion the artist wishes to convey.
One example of a four-piece painting is "Four Squares" by Kazimir Malevich. This painting challenges previous movements of cubism and futurism and is considered a turning point in abstract art. Malevich's limited use of colour palette in "Four Squares" allows the viewer to focus primarily on the form and colour of the painting.
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Canvas photo collage and photo mosaics
A four-piece painting or artwork can be referred to as a polyptych, with the specific term for four sections being a tetraptych. A polytych is a general term for artworks with two or more panels, and a tetraptych is a logical extension of the terms diptych and triptych for two and three panels, respectively.
One way to utilise the four-panel format is through a canvas photo collage. This involves combining four to 36 photos on a single canvas, allowing for a custom layout and size options. This technique can add depth and emotion to your canvas prints, especially when using black and white or monochromatic tones.
Another technique is the photo mosaic, where a single photo is divided into smaller sections to create a larger image. This can be a powerful way to tell a story or convey a message, with each small piece contributing to the overall impact. Photo mosaics can be created for special occasions, such as weddings or anniversaries, or to commemorate milestones and honour loved ones.
For those seeking to create a four-panel artwork, the polyptych or tetraptych format offers a unique way to display images and convey a narrative. Whether it's through a canvas photo collage or a photo mosaic, these techniques provide an opportunity to showcase multiple images or enhance the emotional depth of a single image.
Additionally, a four-piece painting can be created by splitting a single image across four canvases. This technique, known as "split prints", draws the viewer's attention to each individual canvas, creating narrative suspense and heightened drama. The arrangement of the canvases can vary, from a symmetrical side-by-side display to a random arrangement, depending on the desired effect and emotion to be conveyed.
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Black Square: the turning point in abstract art
The Black Square, a painting by Kazimir Malevich, is widely regarded as a foundational work in the development of modern and abstract art. It is considered the "zero point of painting", marking a radical departure from traditional artistic representations and sparking a new era in artistic expression.
Malevich, a self-taught artist, created the Black Square in 1915 amid a tumultuous social and political backdrop, including the First World War and the Russian Revolution. The painting, a bold and simplistic canvas featuring a black square, challenged traditional artistic conventions and sought to liberate art from the imitation of reality. Malevich described his new approach as "suprematism", derived from the Latin "supremus", reflecting his desire to elevate the supremacy of colour and shape in painting.
The Black Square marked a turning point in Malevich's career, defining the aesthetic he would pursue in his subsequent works. It was first exhibited at the The Last Futurist Exhibition 0,10 in Petrograd (formerly Saint Petersburg) in 1915, where it was placed high up on a wall, emphasising its symbolic significance. The painting's simplicity and abstraction captured the imagination of artists and challenged traditional artistic boundaries, inspiring a new wave of artistic exploration.
Malevich's Black Square became an icon of twentieth-century art and continues to inspire and challenge artists and designers today. Its influence can be seen in the works of artists worldwide, from Buenos Aires to Tehran, London to Berlin, and New York to Tel Aviv. The Black Square's impact extends beyond aesthetics, permeating our life and times and embedding itself in the aesthetics of progress and societal change.
The Black Square is not just a painting but a symbol of a new era in art, reflecting Malevich's desire to start from "'zero" and revolutionise artistic expression. Its impact on modern and abstract art is undeniable, solidifying its place as a turning point that opened up new possibilities and inspired artists to explore abstraction, form, and the emotional impact of simplistic motifs.
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Frequently asked questions
A painting made of four squares can be referred to as a polytych, a tetraptych, or a quadriptych.
A polytych is a painting or work of art that is made up of two or more panels.
A tetraptych is a single work of art that is divided into four parts or panels. The term "tetraptych" comes from the prefix "tetra-", which means four.
One famous painting that is made up of four squares is "Four Squares" by Kazimir Malevich. This painting is known for its limited color palette and abstract style, challenging traditional art movements such as cubism and futurism.
