What is "septych"

Septych (from the Latin septem "seven" and Greek ptychē "fold") is a seven panel piece that must be seen as a whole. Technically, a septych is a type of polyptych and is not unlike diptychs and triptychs, which are more common forms. Though not presently a word in common usage the visual arts use of the term and its related concept is not new. As early as the 19th century seven panel works of art were being made. For instance the Japanese painter, Utagawa Sadahide, is said to have created a broad landscape of the old Japanese fleet going off to war with Korea. Its seven panels depict many old style ships.

In an article entitled, The Maleficent Seven - Al Salzman's "anti-septych", published by "Seven Days - Vermont's Independent Voice", the artist seven oval collection is discussed. The writer of the piece uses the word septych both to describe the work and its concept, being that of seven collected images, plus suggests the theme creates a negative or anti-septych tone because the artist disdains the subject matter in each painting.