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A polyptych is a work of art, usually a panel painting, which is divided into sections or panels. The term is derived from the Greek words polu- meaning many and ptychē meaning fold. The number of sections in a polyptych determines its specific name: a diptych has two sections, a triptych has three, a tetraptych or quadriptych has four, and a pentaptych has five. Polyptychs were commonly used in religious art during the European Renaissance, with one large central or main panel and smaller side panels, sometimes with hinges that allowed for different arrangements and views.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| 2 sections | Diptych |
| 3 sections | Triptych |
| 4 sections | Quadriptych, tetraptych, polyptych |
| 5 sections | Pentaptych, polyptych |
| More than 5 sections | Polyptych |
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What You'll Learn
Polyptych: A work of art divided into several sections, or panels
A polyptych is a work of art that is divided into several sections or panels. The word comes from the Greek "polu-" meaning "many" and "ptychē" meaning "fold". Polyptychs usually refer to works with more than three sections, with specific terms for works with fewer sections: a diptych for two sections, a triptych for three, and a tetraptych or quadriptych for four. The majority of historical polyptychs are religious paintings, although the format became popular for portraits and other subjects in the 20th century.
Polyptychs originated as a form of sacred art in the European Renaissance, often used as altarpieces in devotional settings. They are typically panel paintings with one "central" or "main" panel that is the largest, while the other panels are "side" panels or "wings" if they are hinged. The earliest examples of polyptychs are from Italy in the early 14th century, influenced by the fusion of Byzantine iconostasis and Gothic architectural styles.
The Ghent Altarpiece, completed in 1432 by Hubert van Eyck and Jan van Eyck, is an example of a polyptych with hinged panels that can be arranged differently to show various "views" or "options". When altarpieces fell out of use, they were often broken up, and individual panels were dispersed and treated as easel paintings. As a result, finding and reconstructing the parts of dispersed polyptychs has been a significant area of research in art history.
In modern times, the term "polyptych" can be used more broadly to refer to any work of art composed of multiple pieces, including sculpture, photography, and text-based art forms. Polyptychs can be created using various media, such as canvas prints, where a single image is split across multiple canvases or different images are displayed together to create a cohesive whole.
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Diptych: A two-part work of art
A diptych is a two-part work of art. The term is derived from the Greek "di" meaning "two", and "ptychē" meaning "fold". Diptychs are a form of polyptych, which refers to any work of art with multiple sections or panels. Polyptychs typically consist of a central or "main" panel, which is usually the largest, accompanied by smaller "side" panels, or wings if hinged.
The polyptych originated as a form of sacred art, with the majority of historical examples being religious paintings. In the medieval period, polyptychs were often used as altarpieces, and could be arranged in different ways to show varying "views" or "options". By the Renaissance, polyptychs were falling out of fashion, as artists preferred to paint single scenes with a unified background. However, in the 20th century, the format became popular again for portraits and other subjects, in painting, photography, and other media.
The diptych is one of the simplest forms of the polyptych, with other common forms being the triptych (three panels), the tetraptych or quadriptych (four panels), and the pentaptych (five panels).
Some examples of polyptychs include the Ghent Altarpiece, completed in 1432 by Hubert van Eyck and Jan van Eyck, and the Polyptych of the Misericordia (1445-1462) by Piero della Francesca.
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Triptych: A three-part work of art
A triptych is a work of art that is divided into three sections or panels. The term is derived from the Greek "tri," meaning three, and "ptychē," meaning "fold." Triptychs are a type of polyptych, which refers to any work of art with multiple sections or panels. Polyptychs typically feature one "central" or "main" panel that is the largest, with the other panels being referred to as "side" panels.
While the precise origins of polyptych art are uncertain, the earliest examples are described as coming from Italy in the early 14th century. Polyptychs were particularly common in Renaissance-era devotional art, often as altarpieces. However, by the Renaissance, polyptychs were falling out of fashion as artists preferred to paint single scenes with unified backgrounds.
In the 20th century, the polyptych format became popular again for portraits and other subjects in painting, photography, and other media. Today, the term "triptych" is used by artists such as Sean Scully to describe their work, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this artistic format.
Triptychs and other polyptychs can be displayed in various configurations, depending on the artist's intention and the desired emotional impact. For example, the panels can be displayed symmetrically, side-by-side in a line, or in a more random arrangement.
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Tetraptych/Quadriptych: A four-part work of art
A tetraptych or quadriptych is a four-part work of art. The term is derived from the Greek word "tetra", meaning four. It is a type of polyptych, which refers to a work of art that is divided into multiple sections or panels. Polyptychs typically have one "central" or "main" panel, which is the largest, with the other panels being referred to as "side" panels.
Historically, polyptychs were often used for religious subjects, especially as altarpieces in the European Renaissance and Byzantine periods. They originated in Italy in the early 14th century and could be created as panel paintings or carved into materials such as wood, stone, metal, or ivory. However, in the 20th century, the form became popular again for portraits and other subjects, including photography and sculpture.
While the term "polyptych" is generally used for works with more than three sections, there is some variation in terminology. Some sources suggest that polyptych should be used for works with four or more panels, while others state that tetraptych or quadriptych is the correct term for a four-part work. The use of the term "polyptych" may also depend on the arrangement of the panels. If the panels are hinged and can be arranged in different ways to show varying "views" or "options", then the work may be considered a polyptych.
The decline in the use of polyptychs occurred during the Renaissance when artists preferred to paint single scenes with unified backgrounds. However, some artists, such as Rubens, continued to create large winged altarpieces in the early 17th century.
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Altarpiece: A polyptych used as a devotional altarpiece
A polyptych is a work of art, usually a panel painting, that is divided into multiple sections or panels. The term originates from the Greek "poly", meaning "many", and "ptychē", meaning "fold". Polyptychs can be categorised into subtypes based on the number of sections: a diptych has two parts, a triptych has three, a tetraptych or quadriptych has four, and a pentaptych has five. Typically, polyptychs feature a larger "central" or "main" panel with smaller "side" panels, or "wings" if they are hinged.
In the context of European Renaissance painting, polyptychs often served as devotional altarpieces. While the precise origins of polyptychal art are uncertain, the earliest examples are believed to have emerged in Italy during the early 14th century. The fusion of Byzantine iconostasis with Gothic architectural styles during the 13th-century development of Church art laid the groundwork for the recognisable Renaissance polyptych. Artists like Duccio di Buoninsegna, who was active in Siena during the early to mid-14th century, contributed to the early Italo-Byzantine influences in polyptychs.
By the Renaissance, both large altarpiece polyptychs and smaller domestic ones were falling out of fashion. Artists preferred to create single scenes with unified backgrounds. However, some artists, such as Rubens in the early 17th century, continued to create large-scale polyptych altarpieces. As altarpieces fell out of use over time, they were often broken up, and individual panels were dispersed and treated as easel paintings. This dispersal led to extensive research in art history to find and reconstruct the parts of polyptychs.
Medieval artisans commonly created religious polyptychs, and these artworks played a significant role in devotional settings. The Ghent Altarpiece, completed in 1432 by Hubert van Eyck and Jan van Eyck, is an example of a polyptych used as a devotional altarpiece. Other notable polyptych altarpieces include the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald and the Beaune Altarpiece by Rogier van der Weyden.
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Frequently asked questions
A diptych.
A triptych.
A polyptych, quadriptych, or quadtych.
A pentaptych or a polyptych.
