What is a diptych or triptych?

Nowadays, paintings and pictures are no longer displayed in a single panel. In order to create a more effective effect, painters have developed quite attractive techniques to attract art lovers and enthusiasts. In this respect, photos can also be embellished with several panels, such as the diptych and triptych. These refer to formats that have been used for many years in painting and highlight religious scenes.

Diptych and triptych, what are they?

Diptych paintings are works of art composed of two panels that open and close on themselves. They are intended to show two different, but related scenes. In fact, diptych paintings are coherent and offer a unique appearance. Triptych paintings have the same principles as diptychs. The only difference is that they consist of three panels. In other words, the painting has three panels, the first two of which are on the outside to serve as hinges that fold inwards to protect the painting. The artists tell stories that unfold progressively in logical steps. The difference between a diptych and a triptych is only in the number of panels.

Why choose a diptych or a triptych?

In general, to represent any scene, a single photo can be sufficient. It brings out all the details and essential criteria for describing a particular situation. However, professional painters and photographers have reasoned otherwise. They make us believe through their works that in order to tell a story, a diptych or a triptych can bring more nuance to the image. The former is most often used in newspapers to give image and importance to articles on a given theme.

When to use the diptych and triptych?

A diptych or triptych allows artists to bring together separate portraits. The first is designed to place two portraits next to each other. This can be two photographs taken at different times or two portraits taken at the same time. In any case, you can always put them together on one page. The same applies to the triptych, where there are three portraits. Apart from that, you can also use the diptych or triptych to zoom in or bring a detail into focus. In other cases, it is used to detail a movement in a sequence of images, in the hope of showing the developments in a scene later on.
What is a diptych or triptych?
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Art forms

There are 7 types of art: architecture, literature (drama or poetry), visual arts (drawing, painting…), cinema, music, sculpture and performing arts.

Famous artists

Among the greatest painters in history, we can mention Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Gustave Courbet, Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall or Eugène Delacroix.

Art market

The art market is a place where many works of art are exchanged between different actors: intermediaries, artists, gallery owners, art brokers, collectors or buyers.

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