A triptych ( from the Greek aa¯aaac would, tri - «three» ptych «bending» )? It is a work of art ( usually a painted panel ) that it is divided into three sections, or three carved panels that are joined by hinges. It is therefore a type of polyptych ( term that applies to all works that are composed of several panels ). The central panel is usually the largest and is flanked by two slightly smaller related works, although there are triptychs in which three panels are of the same size.