Sam Francis

Untitled, 1984

106.7 X 73 inch

What is a diptych?

What is a diptych?

A diptych is an artwork composed of two panels. These panels can be painted, carved, or made using various mixed media techniques. They may be connected by hinges, allowing them to close for protection, or they can be displayed side by side. Historically, diptychs were often used in religious art.

Clay

Clay is a natural material formed when rocks break down over time due to weathering. Water carries the fine particles of earth, which accumulate as a soft, sticky substance called muck. This muck is collected, cleaned, and refined by removing impurities like rocks and adding sand to improve its texture, resulting in usable clay.

Action painting

Action Painting is a style of painting where the physical act of creating art—such as gestural brushstrokes, splashing or dripping paint, or moving and dancing while applying paint—is considered essential to the artwork itself. This approach emphasizes the artist's movement and spontaneity as integral to the creative process.

Resin

Resin can be derived from both natural sources, such as pine sap, and synthetic processes. Natural resin comes from tree sap, while synthetic resin is a type of dense, easily molded plastic. Resin is commonly used in sculpture, and it can also enhance the vibrancy of paint colors.

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