School Of The North, Saint George Slaying The Dragon, Mounted Under Glass, 17th Century

A reverse-painting on glass depicting Saint George, perched on his white horse and armed with a lance, fighting a dragon. In doing so, he liberates the city of Silcha in Libya, whose population had been decimated by the dragon, and rescues the king’s daughter, who had been chosen by lot to be sacrificed. Stylistically, this is likely the work of a Flemish or Dutch painter.

Painting on glass has been practiced since antiquity and underwent significant development in Venice beginning in the Middle Ages. The glassmakers of Murano played a major role in spreading the art form throughout the rest of Europe, where it became a popular art form during the 16th and 17th centuries and remained so until the end of the 19th century. The main themes depicted include religious scenes, as well as landscapes, mythological episodes, and allegories. The technique involves painting on the back of a glass panel in reverse, starting with the details and finishing with the backgrounds.

Inscription on the back: “17th-century painting set under glass / Saint George slaying the dragon”.

Good overall condition.
Dated to the 17th century.

Dimensions:
Framed: 24 x 19 cm
Image size: 20 x 15 cm