Zancona

A zancona (also sometimes spelled zancona') is an Italian term, primarily used in the fields of art history and architecture, to describe a type of Gothic panel painting. Specifically, it refers to a polyptych altarpiece which is articulated and has panels of differing sizes and often different shapes, arranged in a unified framework. While altarpieces were commonly divided into multiple panels during the Gothic period to allow for narratives and depictions of various saints, the zancona is characterized by its more complex and integrated structure. The panels are not simply individual artworks placed side-by-side, but rather work together within a cohesive design. The overall structure, including the framing elements, is considered part of the artistic expression. The term helps distinguish these more elaborate, architectural altarpieces from simpler, single-panel paintings or diptychs and triptychs. They often feature intricate carving and gilding, enhancing their visual impact within a church setting.