A Triptych is a work of art comprised of three panels. This format is popular in various artistic fields for several reasons, as the panels are intended to be displayed together as a cohesive piece. What sets a triptych apart is its ability to transform a simple image into a dynamic, multidimensional experience.
Triptychs can vary in size, and they may be designed with hinges for standing displays or intended to be hung separately on the wall. This format can be utilised across various art mediums, including paintings drawings, and photographs, to create compelling artwork or to tell a story.
What is a Triptych?
Define triptych: Triptych art consists of three panels designed to be displayed together. By dividing a single photograph or piece of custom wall art across three panels, the triptych format creates a sense of continuity and flow, guiding the viewer's eye across each section in a way that a single image cannot achieve.
This visual effect is exquisite as it does not present everything at once. A triptych gradually reveals the full narrative behind the picture, allowing the viewer to absorb and appreciate each panel as they move their gaze from one to the next.
Triptych Meaning
Define triptych - The term "triptych" (pronounced trip-tick) originates from the Greek word "triptykhos," which means "three-layered."
Triptych refers to a work consisting of three pictures or objects created as a single piece divided into three sections. Other related formats include a diptych, which has two panels; a quadriptych, composed of four panels; and a polyptych, which features five or more panels.
The Significance of the Triptych
The significance of triptych art lies in its ability to function as a cohesive piece while also serving as three distinct works of art. One reason why triptychs are generally more popular than diptychs (which consist of two parts) or quadriptychs (which consist of four parts) is the significance of the number three.
This number holds religious significance and provides a clear narrative structure, encompassing a beginning, middle, and end. As a result, triptychs effectively convey motifs such as balance, pattern, story, and meaning.
Traditionally, triptychs were used as altarpieces, typically consisting of a larger central panel and two smaller panels that were painted on the inside of folding doors. This three-fold design not only served a practical purpose but also reflected the religious symbolism associated with the number three.
The three-part structure represents a narrative which has a clear beginning, middle, and end. The triptych format originated in Christian art and gained popularity during the Middle Ages. It was found in various locations, from Celtic churches in the west to Eastern Byzantine places of worship. These triptych paintings were often used for personal devotional purposes alongside other religious relics.
Renowned Renaissance artists such as Giotto di Bondone and Hans Memling applied it in various artworks, and sculptors also appreciated its advantages, as triptychs were easier to transport compared to other forms.
What Is a Triptych Art?
A triptych consists of three pieces that come together to create layers and add depth to a single work of art. The format is often employed to tell a story, create a sequence, or highlight different aspects of the same subject. Since its inception, the triptych has continued to add a new dimension to visual art. It can also serve to divide a single piece into three parts or combine three separate pieces into one unified work.
In the Middle Ages, triptychs adorned the altarpieces of churches, illustrating biblical narratives and acting as aids for prayer. Common themes in 14th- and 15th-century triptychs included images of the Madonna and Child, the Nativity, and the Crucifixion. Often crafted in grand, stately designs, many triptychs still serve as focal points in altarpieces today.
Notable examples of famous triptychs include Hieronymus Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights" (1490-1510), Frederick McCubbin's "The Pioneer" (1904), and Francis Bacon's "Triptych" (August 1972). Bacon played a key role in reviving the triptych format in modern art. Between the 1940s and the late 1980s, he is believed to have created 28 triptychs, each varying in scale and subject matter.
Triptych Photography
When the triptych art form is applied to photography or fine art, there are no steadfast rules for a triptych display. One method consists of three mounted artworks in a frame; the three images are closely associated in subject matter and are displayed near each other. Alternatively, Triptych photography is a collection of three photographs displayed as a single image.
A photographic triptych is a common style used in contemporary commercial artwork. The photographs are typically arranged with a plain border between them. The work typically consists of separate images that are variations on a theme or one larger photo split into three.
A triptych is a group of three separate images displayed together. However, these images work collaboratively to create a cohesive piece rather than just being three photographs placed side by side. The principle of Gestalt states that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," which is the objective when creating a triptych.
There are several approaches to making Triptych photography -
1. Split an image: One can use one original image and divide it into three panels. Each panel should stand alone as its picture, but they must also come together to form a unified group.
2. Depict a progression: Some triptychs illustrate a narrative or sequence rather than just providing a simple series of instructions. The arrangement of the images should convey a message that explains the purpose behind the triptych.
3. Similar subjects: One can choose a specific subject, such as flowers, or a theme like mountains or rivers, to create three images that visually connect. It's important to depict how these images relate to one another to establish cohesion.
By considering these approaches, you can effectively create a meaningful triptych that resonates with viewers.
Triptych Wall Art UK
There are many ways to decorate walls, from posters to paintings. One of the best options is to use split canvas prints. These prints not only showcase an image but also add a unique feel and aesthetic to your space.
Split canvas printing is an excellent selection for interior design, as it covers a large area of the wall and provides a remarkable focal point. While a single large canvas painting can achieve a similar effect, split canvas prints allow for ingenious play with perspective.
Triptych art is often used as a decorative element in various interior spaces, including homes, offices, and hotels. The artist's vision is critical in triptych art. There are no strict rules; artists can express their style and message through a series of three related images.
One famous triptychs’ is "The Last Judgment." The painting consists of three panels: the central frame depicts Jesus Christ, while the left frame displays people being taken to hell, and the right frame illustrates others being taken to heaven.
Which Print Mediums Are Used for Triptych Wall Art?
There is a wide range of options available for printing mediums. You can choose from ready-to-hang art prints in various styles or consider three-panel artwork, commonly known as triptychs. While canvas prints are the most popular medium for triptych wall art, any print medium can be used to create such artwork.
Here are some print mediums suitable for triptych wall art:
- Canvas Prints: Canvas is extensively used for wall art, and there are also some options applied for triptych canvas art. It's an affordable option for individuals seeking to print images.
- Photographic Paper Prints: Photographic prints offer the resilience to mount and frame paper prints as you desire, and you can easily swap out frames whenever you want a change.
- Acrylic Prints: Acrylic prints offer exceptional quality and are available in triptych formats as well.
-Metal Prints: Like acrylic, metal prints are highly durable and showcase outstanding image quality and colour saturation. Displaying a triptych image on aluminium can be incredible, especially in larger sizes.
-Wood Prints: Printing on wood has become increasingly popular, and this medium is now available for triptych prints.
These triptych prints options offer a diverse range of aesthetic choices for displaying triptych art in your space.
Triptych Art Prints
What are Triptych Art Prints? Triptych art prints consist of an image or a series of images presented on three separate panels. While any image or set of images can be used to create a triptych wall art piece, they typically follow a common theme.
Certain images and compositions tend to work better than others when creating a triptych. Although abstract pieces are often used, images and photographs—such as a rainbow, a fence line, or landscapes with distinctive patterns—can also work beautifully. In these cases, vertical elements may resemble three individual pictures of the same subject rather than flowing seamlessly from one panel to the next.
Here are some styles and compositions that can work well for creating triptych art:
1. Simple: Simple subjects can gain a new dimension when printed across three panels.
2. Panoramic Images: Panoramic images are an excellent choice for this style of wall art, particularly landscapes.
3. Symmetrical Images: Symmetrical images printed as triptychs enhance the overall symmetry of the picture. A centred subject, such as a beautiful tree featured on one panel with simplicity in the surrounding panels, is an ideal option.
4. Continuity in elements: Elements that flow from one panel to another add a sense of continuity and visual appeal.
Triptych Artwork
Triptychs may be small or large, and they may be hinged for an upright standing display or hung apart on the wall. The format can be used in any art medium, including paintings, sculpture, drawings, models and photography, to create a compelling piece of art or to tell a story.
Some artists choose to make all three panels the same shape and size. Others prefer two panels of a thicker width on the sides of a larger central piece. One can also progress from thin to thick panels if it's right for the piece chosen for the design.
Triptych artworks are normally hung in a horizontal format and viewed from left to right.
With the right subject and design, a vertical display can be quite the highlighted piece as well.
While artists often play with the length of the panel, the height is typically uniform. However, the right piece may work well with side panels of a different size if they're hung correctly on the wall.
Triptych Painting
Altarpieces in churches and cathedrals were often created in a triptych style from the Gothic era onward, both in Europe and abroad. One example of a cathedral with a triptych altarpiece is Llandaff Church. Additionally, two versions of a triptych by Rubens can be found at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium. Notre Dame de Paris is also a famous triptychs example.
While triptych artworks are commonly associated with altarpieces, they have been created in other contexts. Some of the most famous examples include works by Francis Bacon, Hieronymus Bosch, and Max Beckmann.
In November 2012, a record price of $142.4 million was achieved at auction for Francis Bacon's triptych "Three Studies of Lucian Freud" (1969). The record was exceeded in May 2015 when Pablo Picasso's artwork "Les Femmes d'Alger" (1955) sold for $179.4 million.
Famous Triptych Paintings
The 15th-century triptych "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch is a famous painting that explores complex allegories, delving into themes of sin, temptation, and redemption. Another notable triptych is "Three Studies of Lucian Freud" (1969) by Irish-born British painter Francis Bacon, which depicts the artist Lucian Freud.
The Stefaneschi Triptych (c. 1330) by Giotto is a distinctive example of a documented commission in the artist's works and bears Giotto's signature. However, the date of its completion, like many dates associated with Giotto, is contested, and many experts believe it was produced in the artist's studio.
German painter Max Beckmann (1884–1950) created numerous canvas triptychs, envisioning worlds populated by actors, cabaret performers, heroes, and crooks whose dramas unfolded on crowded city streets. Among his works, the triptych "Departure" (1932–35) juxtaposes themes of restriction and freedom, compression and openness, anger and refuge.
Scottish artist Ken Currie, renowned for his triptychs, was profoundly influenced by the humanitarian and political events in Eastern Europe during the early 1990s, which he depicted in his paintings. His work, "A Scottish Triptych: Nightshift, Departure, Saturdays" (1986), examines themes of physicality, violence, and oppression.
The triptych by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) is renowned as a masterpiece of ukiyo-e, the traditional Japanese woodblock printing and painting form.
Artists Making Contemporary Triptych Art
Triptych artworks represent a narrative by examining a subject from multiple perspectives. They consist of three separate elements that complement each other.
One notable example is The Last Judgment, a triptych created by Hans Memling in the 15th century. The central panel depicts Christ judging the souls of the dead, surrounded by angels and demons. The left panel shows the saved souls being led to heaven, while the right panel illustrates the damned being led to hell.
Another significant triptych is the Merode Altarpiece, also known as the Annunciation Triptych, created by Robert Campin in the 15th century. The central panel features the Annunciation, with the Archangel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary. The left panel depicts the donors of the altarpiece, while the right panel shows Saint Joseph in his workshop.
British photographer Tommy Clarke has gained recognition for his zoomed-out aerial photographs that capture the interaction between people and nature. His work, Castaways Triptych, is a horizontal photograph divided into three parts. The continuity of the shoreline, the sand, and the subtle swirls of surf create a piece that feels endless, with space between each panel.
Mixed media artist Roseline Al Oumami employs various techniques in her piece, Voyage Triptych, where she joins all three canvases together.
Kirsty O'Leary-Leeson's The Space Between Us(2013) stimulates a sense of movement as the form extends across two panels. In contrast, her Melancholy Strings (Triptych) takes a different format, following a vertical arrangement.
Why Use a Triptych in Art?
A triptych is used in art for several reasons:
1. It provides a narrative structure, presenting a story with a beginning, middle, and end, which creates a sense of a complete narrative.
2. It allows for the continuation of a theme across three pieces, enabling the exploration of a subject from various perspectives or through different techniques and mediums.
3. It can illustrate the movement of a subject, showcasing its growth or decline.
4. It may highlight three separate but related subjects that complement each other.
5. Additionally, it can help manage the logistics of displaying, storing, and transporting a large piece of artwork by breaking it into smaller sections.
What Is the Most Famous Triptych?
Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights is one of the most iconic triptychs in the art world. Created in the 15th century, the work presents a complex allegory that explores themes of sin, temptation, and redemption. The left panel portrays Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; the central panel illustrates the worldly pleasures and sins of humanity, while the right panel depicts the torments of hell.
How To Make a Triptych Painting?
When creating a multi-panel artwork, it's essential to maintain a sense of uniformity across each panel. Without a shared style or technical element connecting the individual pieces, the overall impact on the viewer may diminish. If not used wisely, triptychs can easily become overwhelming or confusing.
To achieve continuity, consider these approaches in a Triptych artwork –
- Maintain a consistent horizon line or background across the panels.
- Use a unified colour palette.
- Handle the subject matter consistently.
- Ensure there is a progression or continuity in theme or subject matter.
Additionally, it's important to display the pieces similarly. Use the same support for each panel; popular choices for painters include board and canvas, while drawings and paintings on paper should utilise the same material. Photographs should also match in terms of support.
Each piece in the set must be framed, matted, or wrapped in a consistent manner. Ensure the hardware used for hanging is positioned to allow all panels to be easily aligned in a straight, even line. When hanging a triptych, make sure that it folds easily and rests evenly on the wall.
Some artists choose to make all three panels the same size, while others prefer to have two narrower side panels with a larger central piece. You can also opt for a progression from thinner to thicker panels if that suits the design of your artwork.
How Are Triptychs Created and Displayed?
A useful guideline for creating a triptych is to ensure that a consistent style or technical element connects the three panels. Without this connection, the visual effect may be diminished. While the panels do not need to be the same size, many triptych paintings or photographs feature panels of equal size. Some comprise a larger central piece flanked by two thinner side panels.
Triptychs are meant to be viewed from left to right. The concept of using three panels also symbolises the Holy Trinity, a significant idea in Christianity. The large central panel, surrounded by two smaller side panels, mirrors the architecture and design of Christian churches. However, the individual panels can be hung at different heights as long as the images align.
Traditionally, triptychs are displayed in a vertical format. Nevertheless, with the right subject and composition, a horizontal arrangement can also be effective. Artists often vary the width of the panels, but their height is usually consistent. Additionally, a piece may look well-balanced if the side panels are a couple of inches shorter, provided they are hung appropriately on the wall.
Hinges are incorporated to allow for easier storage and transport, making the triptych smaller and more compact when folded, while also protecting the painted surfaces. Often, artists would paint additional scenes on the reverse side of the wing panels, which become visible when the wings are folded over and closed.
What Is a Triptych Fable?
Writing a fable involves crafting a short narrative that typically features animals or inanimate objects that embody human qualities and morals. The 2024 movie "Kinds Of Kindness" was presented as a triptych fable in which three loosely linked stories are explored, illustrating how kindness may not always yield good outcomes.
It is a triptych fable following a man without choice who tries to take control of his life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife, who was missing, has returned but seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability to become a prodigious spiritual leader.
