St. George And The Dragon, Tuscan School, 17th–18th Centuries
Artist: école Toscane, Xviie - Xviiie Siècles
Tuscan School
17th–18th centuries
Saint George and the Dragon
Oil on canvas
66 x 50 cm.
Framed: 92 x 76 cm.
FULL DETAILS OF THE PAINTING (click HERE)
The fascinating painting we present here depicts the victory of Saint George—a noble knight of the Christian faith—over the dragon. His extraordinary adventure, rich in symbolic meaning regarding the struggle between Good and Evil, has always been a favorite theme in art.
“One day he arrived in the kingdom of Silene, ravaged by the presence of a terrible dragon, whose destructive power could be contained only by human sacrifices. It was none other than the ‘soldier of Christ’ who slew the dangerous beast and saved the sovereign’s daughter from the monster’s jaws.” (from the Golden Legend, Jacopo da Varazze)
In our painting, Saint George—both a saint and a knight—is depicted at the moment of his triumph over the Dragon, as he pierces it with his lance: He is depicted according to traditional iconography, on horseback, clad in shining armor and a plumed helmet, with his blue cloak billowing in the wind. Off to the side, in the background, stands the terrified princess, praying and imploring for her salvation.
The attribution of the work falls within the sophisticated landscape of Tuscan painting, specifically between the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, a period in which local workshops reinterpreted the great Renaissance tradition through a theatrical, dynamic, and chiaroscuro lens.
The artistic style reveals that our painter, presumably active in Florence, was trained in and drew inspiration from the models of Leonardo da Vinci, especially regarding the vibrant anatomical rendering of the horse.
A large number of Leonardo’s preparatory drawings and studies of horses in battle have survived to this day; these, in fact, represent the pinnacle of his exploration of the dynamics of movement, the fury of war, and animal anatomy: many of these were created as preparatory studies for the Battle of Anghiari, the famous fresco commissioned from him in 1503 for Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, which was later lost (Fig. 1—detail).
The steed is, in fact, the true focal point of the painting, displaying powerful, taut musculature, with its front legs bent and suspended mid-air and a thick mane billowing in the wind that accentuates the sense of movement.
Leonardo also explored this theme in sculpture; one need only compare the “Knight on a Rearing Steed” (Fig. 2—early 16th century; bronze, Budapest, Szépmuveszéti Múzeum) to notice the identical pose of both the horse and the rider, confirming that the artist behind the painting on display here drew inspiration from the creator of the sculpture.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work comes with an attractive frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and warranty.
We handle and arrange shipping for purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, using professional, insured carriers.
You can also view the painting at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we’d be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of artworks.
Please feel free to contact us, with no obligation, for any additional information.
Follow us on:
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
17th–18th centuries
Saint George and the Dragon
Oil on canvas
66 x 50 cm.
Framed: 92 x 76 cm.
FULL DETAILS OF THE PAINTING (click HERE)
The fascinating painting we present here depicts the victory of Saint George—a noble knight of the Christian faith—over the dragon. His extraordinary adventure, rich in symbolic meaning regarding the struggle between Good and Evil, has always been a favorite theme in art.
“One day he arrived in the kingdom of Silene, ravaged by the presence of a terrible dragon, whose destructive power could be contained only by human sacrifices. It was none other than the ‘soldier of Christ’ who slew the dangerous beast and saved the sovereign’s daughter from the monster’s jaws.” (from the Golden Legend, Jacopo da Varazze)
In our painting, Saint George—both a saint and a knight—is depicted at the moment of his triumph over the Dragon, as he pierces it with his lance: He is depicted according to traditional iconography, on horseback, clad in shining armor and a plumed helmet, with his blue cloak billowing in the wind. Off to the side, in the background, stands the terrified princess, praying and imploring for her salvation.
The attribution of the work falls within the sophisticated landscape of Tuscan painting, specifically between the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, a period in which local workshops reinterpreted the great Renaissance tradition through a theatrical, dynamic, and chiaroscuro lens.
The artistic style reveals that our painter, presumably active in Florence, was trained in and drew inspiration from the models of Leonardo da Vinci, especially regarding the vibrant anatomical rendering of the horse.
A large number of Leonardo’s preparatory drawings and studies of horses in battle have survived to this day; these, in fact, represent the pinnacle of his exploration of the dynamics of movement, the fury of war, and animal anatomy: many of these were created as preparatory studies for the Battle of Anghiari, the famous fresco commissioned from him in 1503 for Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, which was later lost (Fig. 1—detail).
The steed is, in fact, the true focal point of the painting, displaying powerful, taut musculature, with its front legs bent and suspended mid-air and a thick mane billowing in the wind that accentuates the sense of movement.
Leonardo also explored this theme in sculpture; one need only compare the “Knight on a Rearing Steed” (Fig. 2—early 16th century; bronze, Budapest, Szépmuveszéti Múzeum) to notice the identical pose of both the horse and the rider, confirming that the artist behind the painting on display here drew inspiration from the creator of the sculpture.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work comes with an attractive frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and warranty.
We handle and arrange shipping for purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, using professional, insured carriers.
You can also view the painting at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we’d be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of artworks.
Please feel free to contact us, with no obligation, for any additional information.
Follow us on:
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
6 800 €
Period: 17th century
Style: Louis 15th - Transition
Condition: Good condition
Material: Oil painting
Width: encadré 76 cm.
Height: encadré 92 cm.
Reference (ID): 1810403
Availability: In stock
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