Master of Delft

Triptych

The word in Greek means “fold in three”. It is a painting divided architecturally in three panels, usually prepared for churches’ altars or private chapels. The board in the middle is the biggest. Usually the two boards on the sides are foldable and, when they are close, their backs fit perfectly with the central table. This allowed a big triptychs to become half their size and to be moved easily.