Richard Stemp's Going for Gold 2 (evening)

One of the great treasures of the National Gallery, and arguably the best surviving painting from medieval England, the Wilton Diptych is remarkably rich in detail, and outstanding in execution. Although there is no documentation connected to this jewel-like devotional panel, a rich web of symbolism tells us who this was made for and why. We will put the painting in its context, and consider the possible origins of the artist, and, above all, marvel at the expert handling of the gold background in the work of art that is on the very edge of the European Renaissance.