Polyptychs

A polyptych is a work of art, usually an altarpiece, composed of multiple panels joined by hinges. The term derives from Greek polys meaning “many” and ptychē meaning “folding,” reflecting the panels’ ability to open and close to reveal different images or sequences. While any multi-panel work can be called a polyptych, the term is most often used for religious altarpieces that are displayed in churches.

Common variants include diptych (two panels) and triptych (three panels); polyptych denotes a greater number of panels. A typical arrangement places a central panel flanked by wings, and may include a predella—the lower row of smaller panels with additional scenes. The hinged construction enabled the artwork to be adjusted for display and liturgical use, sometimes concealing or revealing certain scenes.

Historically, polyptychs were especially widespread in medieval and early Renaissance Northern Europe. They served devotional, didactic, and commemorative purposes in churches and chapels, guiding viewers through narratives and saints’ lives. The structure also allowed patrons to donate panels depicting themselves or their benefactors, integrating social context with religious imagery.

Materials and construction commonly involve painted wooden panels, often oak, with tempera or oil paints. Some polyptychs include carved or sculpted elements and a predella at the bottom. The multi-panel format also influenced composition, with narrative flow across panels and careful consideration of how scenes read in both open and closed configurations.

Notable examples include the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck and Hubert van Eyck (completed 1432), the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald (c. 1512–1516), and Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights (c. 1490–1510). The polyptych form continued into later periods and remains a broader term for multi-panel artworks.