A polyptych (from the Greek polu- "many" + ptychē "fold") generally refers to a painting which is divided into four or more sections. (The term diptych is used to describe a two-part painting and the term triptych describes a three-part painting.)
Polyptychs were most common with Renaissance painters, especially those who painted in a religious style. The majority of polyptychs were designed to be altarpieces in churches and cathedrals.
Examples of polyptychs include:
In comic books and comic strips a polyptych is a strip, or even an entire comic page, in which the background forms a continuous image even though it may be divided into separate panels; a good example is The Perishers which often uses polyptychs divided into 3 panels.
Last updated: 10-11-2005 05:33:19
