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What is a Triptych?

A triptych is a picture in 3 parts. Originally it referred to tri part pictures in hinged frames that were placed on the alters of churches to provide educational and spiritual benefits at the mass. Since it was hinged in two places it could be folded up and put away between services or it could be transported along with the priest as he moved between churches a religious circuit rider.

Today, a triptych is just any picture in three parts, which may be in one or three frames. The three parts may be from a single picture split in three sections, for three related pictures that are designed to be shown together, or three seemingly unrelated pictures that have been put together at the decision of the artist.