How do Quadriptychs tie into the church?

My research

Ive reached a point where I have a lot of research behind me, with a collection of artists and ideas, but now I need to start thinking about how these ideas will come together in a four-panel polyptych. To move forward, I decided to take a step back and return to the basics, researching polyptychs to see if theres an idea there.

A quadriptych is a multi-panel altarpiece, usually depicting saints with gold backgrounds and architectural frameworks. Traditionally, they are made up of four panels and are often found in churches. However, in my research, I discovered that quadriptychs don't necessarily have to have four sections, some definitions state that they must have more than three panels, with no upper limit on how many can be included.

Most historical examples feature religious subjects. Typically, the central panel is the largest and serves as the focal point of the artwork, while the smaller side panels, known as wings, support the main image. Often, these wings could be folded in, concealing the artwork inside. They were usually kept closed throughout the week and only opened on Sundays.

Some quadriptychs also depicted a sequential story, with each panel acting like the next page of a book. As the wings were opened, more of the narrative was revealed. In some cases, both sides of the wings were painted, meaning that when the panels were closed, an entirely different design or story was displayed.

Reflection

This research was a real eye-opener for me because I don't think I fully understood quadriptychs before. Now, I have a much greater appreciation for them. I found the research inspiring in many ways, especially in how it highlighted the importance of storytelling. Previously, I thought quadriptychs were simply paintings, but now I see that they contain a narrative, which could influence my own four-panel artwork.

Im particularly interested in exploring the idea of double-sided panels with wings that fold in. I think this is a really creative concept, allowing one story to be shown on the outside and another on the inside. Id love to experiment with creating them digitally, possibly using stop motion to simulate the panels opening and revealing new layers of the story.

The church

Research got me thinking about the church and its influence on art. This was already on my mind because, in my earlier research, when I reflected on the first artists I ever discovered, I started thinking about the first time I saw a piece of real art. Looking back, the earliest artwork I remember seeing and understanding was the stained glass windows in the church I used to go to. Every Sunday, I would stare at them, mesmerized by how the light passed through the glass, appreciating the colors and textures. This has made me wonder whether I could incorporate that influence into my own work.

I know I couldn't create actual stained glass due to time constraints and the lack of necessary tools, but I could use digital art to design something that mimics its feel and texture. I think Ill start experimenting with this idea and see what I come up with in preparation for my presentation during my lecture this evening.