Painted Diptych
Unknown Artist
ca. 1340–60
Medium
Ivory, polychromy
Dimensions
Overall: 6 3/4 x 3 5/8 x 1/2 in. (17.1 x 9.2 x 1.2 cm) open as diptych with 17.190.292: 6 3/4 x 7 5/16 x 1/2 in. (17.1 x 18.5 x 1.2 cm) closed as diptych with 17.190.292: 6 3/4 x 3 5/8 x 7/8 in. (17.1 x 9.2 x 2.3 cm)
Classification
Ivories
Culture
French or North Spanish
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.291
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite painted ivory diptych, created around 1340–60 France or northern Spain, a glimpse into medieval devotional art. Carved from smooth ivory and enhanced with polychromy, the two hinged panels could be folded shut for private prayer or opened to reveal their sacred imagery. Such portable objects were popular among the devout during this period, allowing individuals to carry reminders of faith during travel or daily life. The diptych’s central themes of the Crucifixion, featuring Christ and the Virgin Mary, reflect the deep spiritual focus of 14th-century European Christianity. Ivory’s luminous surface made it ideal for capturing delicate details, while traces of paint once added vibrant color to the figures. Gifted to the Metropolitan Museum by J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917, this work highlights the refined craftsmanship of medieval ivories, blending artistic skill with personal piety.