Diptych

DEFINITION

A painting or relief carving on two hinged panels so it can be opened and closed like a book, it is usually an altarpiece but is also a technique used by modernist artists. Source: Ralph Mayer, "A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques"<br><br> Two separate paintings which are attached by hinges or other means, displayed as one artwork.<br><br>A picture or bas-relief made of two panels hinged together, often an altarpiece. Also, any picture consisting of two individual surfaces. Also, an ancient Roman or Early Christian two-hinged writing tablet, or two ivory memorial panels.A three-paneled artwork is a triptych. A four-paneled one is a quadriptych. An artwork of multiple panels ? any number greater than three ? is a polyptych.(pr. DIP-t&#601;k)Examples: Jan van Eyck (Netherlandish, c. 1395 [active by 1422]