Diptych with King David c. 10th century

Editor: This is a diptych panel featuring King David, crafted by an unknown artist. The material seems to be ivory. The linear design and compact symmetry give the piece a sense of formal order. What can you tell me about the structure of the diptych? Curator: Note how the vertical lines of the columns are echoed in the drapery of David's robes and repeated in the base below. Observe the arched space above David; the artist has created a composition of repeated shapes that creates a balanced whole. Editor: So the repetition of lines and shapes are key to the composition? Curator: Precisely. The artist employed these elements to construct a work with geometric harmony and stability. It encourages us to observe the relationship between the parts and the whole. Editor: I now understand the work's structure in more detail! Curator: And I see how fruitful a formal approach can be to understand this work.