polyptych

noun

po·​lyp·​tych ˈpä-ləp-ˌtik  pə-ˈlip-tik 

: an arrangement of four or more panels (as of a painting) usually hinged and folding together

Examples of polyptych in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This exquisite Gothic polyptych – an altarpiece with pivoting panels – was carved in the late 1400s by Veit Stoss. —Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2023

This intense, imaginative polyptych—lauded by innumerable textbooks—ranks high among the most affecting artworks in all of art history. —Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2023

The Ghent Altarpiece—aka the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb—is a 15th-century polyptych attributed to brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 July 2020

The Ghent altarpiece—aka the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb—is a 15th-century polyptych attributed to brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck, displayed in the Saint Bavo Cathedral in Belgium. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2019

Titled Christ Mocked, the piece is believed to be part of a polyptych (a painting that consists of three or more panels) created in 1280, depicting Christ’s crucifixion. —Hannah Chubb, PEOPLE.com, 29 Oct. 2019

So after dipping into Sint-Baafskathedraal to see the famous 15th-century polyptych Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, bump across the cobblestones and turn down onto Graslei quay. —National Geographic, 14 Nov. 2019

According to the news outlet, two other pieces from the polyptych series can be found at art museums across the world — one at London’s National Gallery, and one at the Frick Collection in New York. —Hannah Chubb, PEOPLE.com, 29 Oct. 2019

Two other paintings from the polyptych can be seen at both London's National Gallery, and the Frick Collection in New York. —Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, 28 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Greek polyptychos having many folds, from poly- + ptychē fold, from ptyssein to fold

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above