Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
• One of the finest medieval altarpieces is in a glass case in Room 53.
Anonymous—
The Wilton Diptych
(c. 1395-1399)
Two saint/kings and St. John the Baptist present King Richard II (left panel) to the Virgin
Mary and her rosy-cheeked baby (right panel), who are surrounded by angels with flame-
like wings. Despite the gold-leaf background, a glimmer of human realism peeks through.
The kings have distinct, down-to-earth faces. And the outside shows not a saint, not a god,
but a real-life deer lying down in the grass of this earth.
But the anonymous artist is struggling with reality. John the Baptist is holding a “lamb
of God” that looks more like a Chihuahua. Nice try. Mary's exquisite fingers hold an ana-
tomically impossible little foot. The figures are flat, scrawny, and sinless, with cartoon
features—far from flesh-and-blood human beings. Still, Richard II himself (king of Eng-
land from 1377 to 1399) knelt before this portable altarpiece to inspire his personal devo-
tions to the Virgin.
• Continuing into Room 54, you'll leave this gold-leaf peace and find...
