Isabella Flores
A painting composed of three panels is called a triptych. The term comes from the Greek word triptykhos, which means three-layered. Triptychs are often used to impart a narrative, create a sequence, or show different elements of the same subject matter. They can be made up of three separate panels or one continuous image split into three parts. The middle panel is typically the largest and is flanked by two smaller related works. Triptychs have been used in various art forms, including painting, sculpture, and photography, and have been adopted by different religious faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of panels | Three |
| Medium | Painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media |
| Panels | Hinged together, separate, or joined |
| Narrative | Impart a narrative, create a sequence, or show different elements of the same subject matter |
| Dimensions | Three layers, adding depth to a single artwork |
| Portability | Portable |
| Religious use | Used in Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Buddhist altarpieces |
| Commercial use | Used in modern commercial artwork |
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What You'll Learn
Triptychs in film
A triptych is a work of art, typically a painting, that consists of three sections or panels that are either hinged together or separate. Each panel can stand alone as a piece of art, but together, they form a larger picture. This artistic format has been adopted by filmmakers to create movie triptychs, which follow the three-act structure of feature films.
Movie triptychs are films that consist of three interconnected storylines. While this narrative technique is not common, some films have employed this structure to great effect. One notable example is the Academy Award-winning film "Dunkirk" (2017), directed by Christopher Nolan. Nolan is known for his skill in crafting narratives that manipulate perspective and time, and in "Dunkirk", he brings together three distinct storylines that unite in the third act.
Another example of a movie triptych is "Mystery Train" (1989) by Jim Jarmusch. The film follows three disparate travelling parties visiting Nashville, Tennessee, each with their own unique story. A more recent film that employs the triptych structure is "Kinds of Kindness", a black comedy by Yorgos Lanthimos. This film consists of three distinct but loosely connected stories involving the character R.M.F. and an ensemble cast.
The triptych structure can also be found in other films, such as "Amores Perros" (2000), "The Fountain" (2006), and "The Prestige". Additionally, some films like "Pulp Fiction" (1994) and "Crash" (2004) have multiple interconnected storylines, but they exceed the three-storyline structure of a traditional triptych.
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Triptychs in religion
Triptychs have a long history in the Christian church, dating back to the Middle Ages when they became popular as altarpieces. These three-panel paintings or carvings are hinged together and can be folded shut or displayed open. The two outer panels are typically smaller and can be folded in towards the central panel, which is usually the largest. The triptych form is also echoed in the structure of many ecclesiastical stained glass windows.
The triptych format is well-suited to Christian artwork due to the association between the number three and the Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three panels of a triptych can also be used to depict a sequence of events from Scripture, such as the Nativity, the Passion, and the Resurrection, or a group of saints praying at the foot of the Cross with the Blessed Mother.
During the Byzantine period, triptychs were used for private devotional practices, along with other relics such as icons. Triptychs were also valued for their compact size, which made them easy to transport and carry in pockets. Middle-class and wealthy families often commissioned triptychs for use as devotionals in their homes.
While triptychs are most commonly associated with Christianity, they have also been adopted by other religions, including Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. For example, a volume of the Quran at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul, Turkey, is an example of Ottoman Islamic art that incorporates the triptych motif. Tibetan Buddhists have also used triptychs in traditional altars, and the format has been used in East Asian Buddhist art, as seen in the Shakyamuni Triad: Buddha Attended by Manjushri and Samantabhadra (c. late 1300s).
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Triptych art techniques
A triptych is a work of art, typically a painting or photograph, that is divided into three sections or panels. The three panels can be joined or displayed with spaces in between. The central panel is usually the largest, with two smaller related panels on either side, though sometimes the panels are the same size. The panels may be hinged together and can be folded shut or displayed open.
The triptych art form originated in the Middle Ages, where it was used to adorn altarpieces in churches, relaying stories from the Bible and functioning as an aid to prayer. Triptychs were also used to tell stories across different points in time, to demonstrate the progression of a subject, or to show multiple points of view. The three panels can be used to create a narrative, examine a subject from multiple perspectives, or showcase three separate elements that complement each other.
Triptychs can be created using a variety of media, including oil on wood, as in the case of Rubens' 'Elevation of the Cross', or oil on oak, as in the case of Hieronymus Bosch's 'The Garden of Earthly Delights'. They can also be created using photography, as in Ai Wei Wei's 'Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn', or mixed media, as in Roseline Al Oumami's 'Voyage' Triptych, which combines painting and dynamic marks across three joined canvases.
While triptychs traditionally feature three distinct panels, some artists have experimented with extending their compositions across the panels, creating a sense of movement and continuity, as seen in Kirsty O'Leary-Leeson's 'The Space Between Us'.
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History of triptychs
The triptych is an artwork made up of three pieces or panels. The term "triptych" comes from the Greek word "triptykhos", which means "three-layered". The idea of three pieces creating layers and depth to a single artwork is central to some of history's most famous triptychs. The triptych first appeared in the Middle Ages, adorning the altarpieces of churches. They were used to relay stories from the Bible, aid in prayer, and visualise Christianity and devotion. Common subjects in 14th and 15th-century triptychs included the Madonna and Child, the birth of Jesus, and the crucifixion.
During the Byzantine period, triptychs were used for private devotional purposes, alongside other relics such as icons. The triptych structure emerged from early Christian art and was the standard composition for paintings from the Middle Ages onwards. Triptych art ranges in style from the eastern Byzantine to the Celtic houses of worship in the west. The form is also echoed in the structure of many ecclesiastical stained glass windows.
The triptych format has been used in non-Christian faiths, including Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. For example, the triptych Hilje-j-Sherif displayed at the National Museum of Oriental Art in Rome, Italy, and a page from the Quran at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul, Turkey, exemplify Ottoman religious art adapting the motif.
The triptych has continued to be used in modern art, including in painting, sculpture, and photography. In the mid-20th century, artists such as Max Beckmann and Francis Bacon created well-known triptychs. Bacon's 1969 triptych, "Three Studies of Lucian Freud", sold for $142.4 million in 2013, making it the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction at the time.
Today, triptychs are not necessarily foldable but still feature three distinct panels that together form a cohesive artwork. Triptychs are often used to impart a narrative, create a sequence, or show different elements of the same subject matter. They can add aesthetic appeal to a room and serve as a conversation starter.
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Famous triptych artists
A triptych is a work of art, usually a painting, that consists of three panels that come together to form a single, cohesive artwork. Triptychs have been used in Christian art since the Middle Ages, often as altarpieces. The three-panel format can also be found in other religions, including Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism.
Some of the most famous triptych artists from the Renaissance period include Giotto di Bondone, Hugo van der Goes, and Hans Memling. Hugo van der Goes' "The Portinari Altarpiece," created in the 15th century, is a renowned triptych that depicts the Nativity on its central panel, the Annunciation on its left panel, and the Adoration of the Magi on its right panel.
Another famous triptych from the Renaissance is the "Stefaneschi Triptych" by Giotto di Bondone, created around 1330. This work is known for its intricate details and rich colours.
In the 20th century, artists such as Max Beckmann and Francis Bacon created well-known triptychs. Beckmann, a German painter, often depicted crowded scenes in his triptychs, such as "Departure," which is now located in the Tate Modern. Bacon's "Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion" is another modern triptych, also located in the Tate Modern.
Today, contemporary artists such as Osnat Tzadok, Amy Giamocelli, Amanda Dagg, Caroline Ashwood, and Paula Nizamas are known for their triptych paintings, which can be found on online art sites like eBay, Etsy, and Artfinder.
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Frequently asked questions
A painting composed of three panels is called a triptych.
The term "triptych" comes from the Greek word "triptykhos", which means "three-layered".
A triptych typically consists of three hinged panels, with the middle panel being the largest and the two outer panels being smaller. The outer panels can be folded in towards the central panel.
Some well-known examples of triptychs include "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch, "The Pioneer" by Frederick McCubbin, and "Three Studies of Lucian Freud" by Francis Bacon.
Yes, while triptychs are commonly associated with religious altarpieces, they have also been used in non-religious contexts. For example, the film "Kinds of Kindness" by Yorgos Lanthimos is structured as a "triptych fable" with three distinct but loosely connected stories.
