The Wilton Diptych is one of the most beautiful, yet most enigmatic, paintings ever made. The intricacy of detail, the refinement and sublety of its varied techniques and decorative effects, the lushness of its colours and the exquisite tooling of the gold, all in a remarkable state of preservation, are unmatched in any contemporary English or European panel painting. Superficially the imagery is straightforward. It shows Richard II (King of England 1377-99) being presented to the Virgin and Child by two royal English saints, Edward the Confessor and Edmund, and Richard's patron saint, John the Baptist. On the exterior are the king's personal emblem of the white hart and his coat of arms. Thereafter the diptych remains an enigma: no one knows precisely when, why, or by whom it was painted. The author explores new evidence which helps to clarify the diptych's meaning. As a result of recent investigations by the Gallery's Scientific and Conservation Departments, valuable technical information is presented about the materials used in its painting, which has a bearing on both its origin and serves to emphasize the extraordinary craftsmanship of the diptych.

The Wilton Diptych (Making & meaning)

Dillian Gordon

Arts & Photography

National Gallery Co Ltd

Making and Meaning: Young Michelangelo - The Artist in Rome, 1496-1501

JILL DUNKERTON' 'MICHAEL HIRST

National Gallery Technical Bulletin: v. 17 (Technical Bulletin, National Gallery Publications)

National Gallery

History & Criticism

A study of Holbein's portrait entitled "The Ambassadors". It offers a technical account of the painting and sets it in the context of the religious and political crisis in Europe in 1533, investigating the political fortunes and artistic patronage of the Dinteville family who commissioned it.

Holbein's Ambassadors : Making and Meaning

Susan Foister

A feast for the eyes

GILLIAN RILEY

Rembrandt by Himself: Catalogue to the National Gallery Exhibition

Christopher White

Search for Saints (Family Fun)

Unknown, Author

A tight clean softcover, no markings throughout, NOT an ex-lib edition:\nSouvenir Guide

Masterpieces from the National Gallery: A Souvenir Guide

erika-lanmuir

Dutch Portraits: The Age of Rembrandt and Frans Hals (National Gallery London)

Ekkart, Rudi & Quentin Buvelot

Myths and Legends: A Souvenir Guide

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Books by National Gallery Co Ltd