ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Wilton Diptych

The Wilton Diptych is a special kind of painting that was made a long, long time ago in England. It is called a "diptych" because it is made up of two separate pieces of wood that can be opened and closed like a book. Inside, there are beautiful pictures of people and colorful patterns.

The painting was made for a very important king in England named King Richard II. He was the king a very long time ago, in the 14th century. He was a special king because he ruled when he was very young, only 10 years old. The painting was made to show how special and important he was.

Now, let's talk about the picture on the front of the diptych. It shows King Richard II kneeling down in front of some heavenly figures. These heavenly figures are angels and saints, and they are very important in Christian religion. They have halos on their heads and wear beautiful dresses.

In the picture, King Richard II is dressed in very fancy clothes. He wears a crown on his head and a pretty blue robe. He is also holding something important in his hands - a tiny gold statue of a saint. This shows that he is very religious and believes in God.

The background of the picture is also very interesting. It shows a beautiful landscape with green fields and trees. And did you know? The sky is full of golden stars! It looks like a magical place.

When you open the diptych, there is another picture inside. This picture shows a woman dressed in white and blue, with a golden crown on her head. She is kneeling in front of a group of heavenly figures as well. This woman is King Richard II's mother, Joan of Kent. She was also very important.

The heavenly figures in this picture are the same angels and saints as in the first picture. They are giving little crowns to the woman, which shows that she is very special too. There is also a cute little white lamb next to her. The lamb is a symbol of Jesus, who is very important in Christianity.

The colors in the painting are very bright and beautiful. They make the pictures come to life. The painter used gold paint to make everything look shiny and precious.

The Wilton Diptych is not just a pretty painting. It tells a story and shows us how important and powerful King Richard II and his mother were. It also tells us about their faith and belief in God. It is a special treasure from the past that we can still admire today.