Diptych

A Diptych is an artwork – painting, carving or metalwork for example – that is produced on two panels. Traditionally, these panels would have been hinged together to close like a book and were religious in subject such as the portable altarpiece pictured above. Today, many Artists give the name ‘diptych’ to any 2-piece artwork that is meant to hang side by side.

The altarpiece shown is The Wilton Diptych, housed in the National Gallery, London, which was a personal, portable altarpiece for King Richard II depicting him being presented to the Virgin Mary.