Guide
Diptych and Triptych, Explained
Hinged panels, wings, and the move from Roman writing tablets to Bosch, van Eyck, and Rothko: how two- and three-part formats work as structure, not only as altarpiece lore.
A triptych is a work in three panels, often hinged so outer wings fold over a centre; a diptych uses two. This guide defines both formats and polyptych briefly, traces panel joinery and hardware, walks a workshop sequence, reads six museum examples including Bosch and Rothko, and notes how splits, warping, and bad hinges fail in storage.
