TRIPTYCH

Triptych: translation

Analtarpiececomposed of three panels that are hinged together so the outer wings can close over the larger central panel. The first triptychs of the Renaissance appeared in Tuscany in the 13th century. These were used for personal devotion in the home and were portable so they could be moved as needed, for example, into a sick or birthing room. Since they needed to be portable, these triptychs were of small dimensions, they stood on a base, and had a latch so they could be securely closed to prevent any damage while being moved. The image featured in these early altarpieces was normally an enthronedVirginand Child surrounded by saints and angels in the central panel.Oftentimes, a Nativity andCrucifixionoccupied the lateral panels to reference the incarnation of Christ and his sacrifice for the good of humanity. An early example is theBigallo Triptych(1312-1348;Florence, Museo del Bigallo) byBernardo Daddi. Eventually, the scale of triptychs increased and the subjects became more varied, as in, for example,Roger van der Weyden'sCalvary Triptych(c. 1438-1440; Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum) andHans Memlinc'sLast JudgmentTriptych(1473; Danzig, Muzeum Pomorskie).Hieronymus Boschused the format to render strange depictions of human folly, among themThe Hay Wain Triptych(c. 1490-1495; ElEscorial, Monasterio de San Lorenzo) and theGarden of Earthly Delights(c. 1505-1510, Madrid, Prado).