Wilton-Diptychon

Wilton-Diptychon
Wilton-Diptychon, London, National Gallery, Saal 51, um 1395–1399, Bild 1/7
Wilton-Diptychon, London, National Gallery, Saal 51, um 1395–1399, Bild 1/7
Wilton-Diptychon, London, National Gallery, Saal 51, um 1395–1399, Bild 2/7
Wilton-Diptychon, London, National Gallery, Saal 51, um 1395–1399, Bild 3/7
Wilton-Diptychon, London, National Gallery, Saal 51, um 1395–1399, Bild 4/7
Wilton-Diptychon, London, National Gallery, Saal 51, um 1395–1399, Bild 5/7
Wilton-Diptychon, London, National Gallery, Saal 51, um 1395–1399, Bild 6/7
Wilton-Diptychon, London, National Gallery, Saal 51, um 1395–1399, Bild 7/7

The Wilton Diptych

Richard II, King of England from 1377 to 1399, kneels in the left wing of this portable altarpiece made for private devotion. He is presented by his patron saint, John the Baptist, holding the Lamb of God. In the centre is Saint Edward the Confessor with the ring which, according to legend, he gave to a poor pilgrim who turned out to be Saint John the Evangelist. On the far left Saint Edmund holds the arrow with which he was martyred.

The king wears his emblem of the white hart and a collar representing the linked pods of the heraldic broom plant. In the right wing are the Virgin and Child and angels wearing white harts. A crown of thorns and three nails are inscribed in the Child's halo. The white standard with a red cross may be the flag of Saint George or a symbol of the Resurrection, or both. Within the orb at the top of the standard is a minute image of a green island with a white castle, set in a silver sea. This probably represents England placed under the protection of the Virgin and Child.

The Wilton Diptych

The shield in the left outside wing of this portable altarpiece shows the royal arms of England and France - lions and fleurs-de-lis - alongside the cross and five birds of the mythical arms of Edward the Confessor. This combination was used by Richard II from around 1395.

Parts of the gilded and painted surface have been damaged in the past, probably by water.

In the right wing is Richard II's personal emblem of the white hart with a crown and chain around its neck.

London, National Gallery, Saal 51
London, National Gallery, Saal 51, Bild 1/4
London, National Gallery, Saal 51, Bild 1/4
London, National Gallery, Saal 51, Bild 2/4
London, National Gallery, Saal 51, Bild 3/4
London, National Gallery, Saal 51, Bild 4/4

In Vorbereitung: Paris, Musée d’Orsay; Paris, Musée des Arts décoratifs; L'Aquila, Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo; Ascoli Piceno, Pinacoteca civica

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