• A painting/drawing is graphically or physically separated into multiple panels, as in comic books, with each panel meant to be viewed both as its own scene and as part of a greater whole
Such an approach is particularly suited to narrative works, telling a story that unfolds as the viewer looks from panel to panel. A moment in time or action in another location or in another dimension of reality can be depicted on each panel.
Multi-panel works can communicate a sense of equality shared by many different subjects, objects, or shapes depicted on each of the panels. The separate panels can also be used to create a sense of each character's isolation from the other characters or from scenes featured in the other panels.
By including smaller panels, the artist can feature minor characters, minor scenes, or accent components.
Featured: The Ghent Altarpiece (wings closed) by Jan Van Eyck.