The Stream of Time, 1995-1997
We encounter the three-part painting and its vibrant colourfulness. The painting’s radiant primary colours green, red, yellow, and blue have an energetic effect on the viewer. Triptychs exist since the 15th century.
Up until the end of the 19th century, triptychs only appeared in religious contexts. A triptych is a three-part image that consists of a central panel and two narrower side panels. It was used to emphasise certain figures and contents of the central panel. On the side panels, secondary characters or a chronological order of events were depicted. Usually, a reading direction from left to right was adhered to.
In the 20th century, major triptychs by Otto Dix, Max Beckmann, Oskar Kokoschka, Barnett Newman and, among others, Francis Bacon, were created. In these cases, religious themes were often only of minor importance. However, the triptych of the 20th century was dedicated to no less serious and major topics that moved humanity in political as well as social regards.