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A triptych is a painting divided into three parts. The triptych is a very popular format in art for several reasons and is designed to be presented together as a unit.
Tip: View our Paint by Numbers triptych range.
Triptychs can be large or small and presented in the form of a hinged panel or hung loose on the wall. It can be used in any artistic medium, including painting, drawing and photography, to create a stunning overall work of art or to tell a story.
What is the meaning of a triptych?
The word triptych comes from the Greek "triptykhos", which means "three-layered". Simply put, it is a painting that is painted or printed on three panels.
Traditionally the triptych was used for altarpieces. It includes alarge central panel and two smaller panels painted on the inside of the folding doors. The tripartite division is not only functionally appropriate, but also reflects the religious symbolism of the Trinity.
The threefold tragedy is also evident in the use of the triptych format by many artists, with panels representing a beginning, a middle and an end.
Reasons to use a triptych in art
The way an artist uses the three panels of a triptych can vary. Sometimes they flow into each other and form one whole, but it is also possible that they each function as a separate image.
The artist may use a triptych for one of the following reasons:
- To give the art an outline of beginning, middle, and end parts of a story.
- To continue a theme in three parts.
- To treat a topic from different perspectives or using different techniques.
- To monitor the progress of a topicshow, such as its growth or decline.
- Propose three different elements that are connected and complement each other.
- To divide a very large piece for easier transportation, storage and presentation.
How do you design a triptych?
When creating a work of art that consists of multiple parts, it is important to maintain unity in each part. Without a stylistic or technical element connecting the individual panels, the final piece loses its impact on the viewer. Triptychs can be oppressive or confusing if not for the sizeis used wisely.
Two popular ways to achieve continuity are a constant horizon line or background, a consistent colour scale, a consistent treatment of the subject, or a continuity of theme.
It is also important to present the pieces in the same way. Use the same painting medium for each panel: panel and canvas are popular with painters; drawings and paintings on paper should also use a consistent material. Even with photographs, the printing medium is important and must be used consistently.
Each piece in the series should also have a similar frame and hanging to achieve a certain look. The suspension should be positioned so that the pieces can easily be hung in as even a row as possible.
Rules are made to be broken
Some artists choose to make all three panels the same size. Others prefer two outer panels with narrower widths on the sides of a wider center panel. Triptychs are traditionally hung standing and of course viewed from left to right. With the right subject and composition, a verticalarrangement, however, also forms a beautiful showpiece. While artists often experiment with the width of the panel, the height is usually uniform. But again, the right center piece can work well with the side panels, which are a few inches shorter if you hang them properly on the wall.
