Elena Rossi
Saint George and the Dragon is a popular subject in art, with several notable paintings bearing this title. One such painting is by the Italian High Renaissance artist Raphael, completed around 1505-1506. It is a small oil on wood cabinet painting, and one of two versions of the theme by the artist. Another version of the painting by Raphael is in the Louvre. Other notable paintings with this title include one by Bernat Martorell, conceived in the elegant, decorative International Gothic style, and one by Paolo Uccello, which is dated to around 1470. There is also a painting by Gustave Moreau, a prominent figure in French Symbolist painting, who was inspired by the artists of the early Renaissance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Raphael, Paolo Uccello, Gustave Moreau |
| Medium | Oil on wood, oil on canvas |
| Style | Renaissance, Gothic, Symbolist |
| Colours | Blue, red, gold |
| Details | Saint George wears a blue garter, the princess wears a gilt crown |
| Dimensions | 11.22 x 8.46 in (285 x 215 cm) |
| Location | National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., National Gallery, London, Musée national Gustave Moreau, Paris |
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What You'll Learn
The painting is a Renaissance artwork
Saint George and the Dragon is a painting by the Italian High Renaissance artist Raphael. Painted in 1505, it is a small oil-on-wood cabinet painting that currently resides in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The painting depicts Saint George, a Roman soldier of Christian faith, saving the daughter of a pagan king by slaying a dragon with his lance. The princess then leads the dragon to the city, where the saint kills it with his sword, prompting the king and his subjects to convert to Christianity.
Saint George is shown wearing the blue garter of the English Order of the Garter, with the first word of the order's motto, "HONI", visible. The honour paid to a minor Italian ruler reflected Henry's appreciation of the cultural prestige of Renaissance Italy. The traditional subject of Saint George and the Dragon, combining chivalry and Christianity, was appropriate for the occasion. Like his father, Guidobaldo was a condottiero.
Raphael's Saint George and the Dragon is one of two versions of the theme by the artist and belonged to a series of miniature panels that he painted in Florence for the celebrated court of Urbino. This painting is an early work by Raphael, who painted a number of tiny cabinet paintings in the early stages of his career, including another St George in the Louvre and the Vision of a Knight in the National Gallery in London.
The painting Saint George and the Dragon by Gustave Moreau is also inspired by the artists of the early Renaissance. The painting depicts Saint George dominating the composition, with his horse at the centre of the piece. They are the main source of brightness in the painting, with the dragons and mountains around them being more muted. Saint George, painted in brightness with a red cape, triumphs over evil, represented by the darkness.
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It is painted in oil on wood
Saint George and the Dragon is a painting by the Italian High Renaissance artist Raphael. It is a small oil painting on wood, also known as a cabinet painting, and was completed around 1505. The painting is now housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Raphael's Saint George and the Dragon is one of two versions of the theme by the artist. It is part of a series of miniature panels that Raphael painted in Florence for the celebrated court of Urbino. The painting depicts Saint George, a Roman soldier of Christian faith, saving the daughter of a pagan king by subduing a dragon with his lance. The princess then leads the dragon back to the city, where the saint kills it with his sword, prompting the king and his subjects to convert to Christianity.
The painting is rich in symbolic details. One unusual feature is the saint's blue garter on his armoured leg, which bears the inscription "HONI", the beginning of the phrase "Honi soit qui mal y pense", the motto of the chivalric Order of the Garter, of which George is the patron saint. The blue garter also reflects the award of this decoration in 1504 to Raphael's patron, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, by King Henry VII of England.
Saint George and the Dragon is a fine example of Renaissance art. The painting's small scale and non-religious tone suggest it was intended for private viewing in someone's home. It is a significant work in Raphael's oeuvre, created during the early stages of his career when he painted a number of tiny cabinet paintings.
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The artist, Raphael, was a Roman soldier
Raphael's "Saint George and the Dragon" is one of two versions of the theme by the artist and belongs to a series of miniature panels that he painted in Florence for the celebrated court of Urbino. The painting depicts Saint George, a Roman soldier of Christian faith, who saved the daughter of a pagan king by subduing a dragon with his lance. The princess then led the dragon to the city, where Saint George killed it with his sword, prompting the king and his subjects to convert to Christianity.
The painting is characterized by its use of color and decorative elements, such as the red-and-white-striped fragments of the pole beneath Saint George's white horse. Saint George is often depicted towering above the dragon, signifying the triumph of good over evil, and the princess is often shown in the background. This detail has influenced the "damsel in distress" trope in later renditions of the legend.
The blue garter on Saint George's leg is an unusual feature, bearing the inscription "HONI," which is the first word of the motto of the English Order of the Garter, of which George is the patron saint. The painting was presumably commissioned by the Duke of Urbino, either as a gift to an English emissary or to King Henry VII himself, who awarded the duke the decoration in 1504.
Raphael's "Saint George and the Dragon" is a significant work of Renaissance art, reflecting the cultural prestige of Renaissance Italy. It has influenced modern pop culture, with the legend of Saint George inspiring various modern stories and artistic creations.
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It was painted in the early 16th century
Saint George and the Dragon is a painting by the Italian High Renaissance artist Raphael. It was painted in the early 16th century, around 1505 to 1506. The painting is a small oil on wood cabinet painting, measuring 11.22 x 8.46 inches (285 x 215 cm). It is currently housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
The painting depicts Saint George, a Roman soldier of Christian faith, saving the daughter of a pagan king by subduing a dragon with his lance. The princess then leads the dragon to the city, where the saint kills it, prompting the king and his subjects to convert to Christianity. This legend is set in modern-day Libya and has influenced modern pop culture, including stories like Lord of the Rings and Shrek.
Raphael's painting is one of the earliest known depictions of this legend and is considered a foundational artwork of the Renaissance. It is believed to have been commissioned by Duke Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, who was made a knight of the Order of the Garter in 1504 by King Henry VII of England. The painting reflects this honour through the inclusion of the blue garter on Saint George's armour-covered leg.
The early 16th-century context of the painting is significant as it coincides with the height of the Renaissance in Italy. This period witnessed a flourishing of art, architecture, and cultural achievements. Raphael, being a master of this era, showcased his skill in capturing the drama and symbolism of the Saint George legend. The painting's composition, with its attention to detail and use of perspective, reflects the advancements in artistic techniques during this time.
Additionally, the early 16th century was a time of exploration and expansion, with European powers vying for influence and establishing colonies. The legend of Saint George, which embodies the triumph of good over evil, may have resonated with the contemporary audience, offering a sense of hope and strength in the face of uncertainty and change.
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It is a depiction of a popular legend
The painting Saint George and the Dragon is a depiction of a popular legend. The legend goes that a dragon was terrorising the city of Silene (in modern-day Libya) by poisoning the lake that was the city's source of water. To prevent the dragon from killing his people, the king offered it sacrifices of sheep and, unfortunately, some of his own people, chosen at random by lottery. One day, the dragon demanded the sacrifice of the king's daughter. Saint George, a Roman soldier of Christian faith, happened to be passing through the city. He offered to slay the dragon and, upon confronting the monster, thrust his lance through a weak point in its scaly armour. Saint George then brought the dragon, with the princess leading it, to the city, where he killed it with his sword, prompting the king and his subjects to convert to Christianity.
Saint George is a Christian martyr who served in the Roman army during the fourth century and is recognised as a symbol of Christian chivalry and selflessness. His influence has left a lasting impression on Western culture, with his legend inspiring more modern stories like Lord of the Rings and Shrek, as well as countless other creations from Shakespeare monologues to arcade games. Several countries and principalities, such as England, Georgia, and Portugal, have adopted him as their patron saint.
The painting Saint George and the Dragon has been a popular subject for artists over the centuries, including Renaissance icon Raphael, who created a small oil-on-wood cabinet painting of the scene in c. 1505-1506. Another version of the theme by Raphael belonged to a series of miniature panels that he painted in Florence for the celebrated court of Urbino. Other artists who have depicted the scene include Paolo Uccello, whose painting from around 1470 is in the National Gallery in London, and Gustave Moreau, whose painting is in the National Gallery in London and the Musée national Gustave Moreau in Paris.
The scene of Saint George and the Dragon typically follows a similar template in paintings. Saint George is frequently shown towering above the dragon on a white steed, to signify the triumph of good over evil, and the princess is often pictured in the background. It was also common for George to be drawn with a halo or nimbus to signify his sainthood.
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Frequently asked questions
Gustave Moreau's painting style has been described as "French Symbolist", with influences from the Italian Renaissance and exoticism.
Paolo Uccello's Saint George and the Dragon is characterised by his interest in linear perspective and single-point perspective, using lines to create an impression of depth.
Bernat Martorell's painting is conceived in the elegant, decorative International Gothic style.
Raphael's painting is in the High Renaissance style.
