An electroluminescent element comprises at least the following layers, in sequence: a first substrate (1), a first conductive layer (2), a first dielectric layer (3), a first light emitting layer (4), a second conductive layer (5), a second light emitting layer (4′), a second dielectric layer (3′), a third conductive layer (2′), and a second substrate (6). At least one of the first and second substrates (1, 6) is transparent or translucent; and at least some of the layers are transparent or translucent so as to allow light from the first and/or second light emitting layers (4, 4′) to be emitted through the transparent substrate or substrates (1, 6). The second conductive layer (5) may be encapsulated between the first and second light emitting layers (4) and between the first and second dielectric layers (3, 3′). The elements may be stacked horizontally or vertically.