Cleveland Museum of Art

Saint George and the Dragon

Date

late 1600s

Medium

painted and gilded wood

Culture

South Germany or Austria, late 17th century

Department

European Painting and Sculpture

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Saint George, a Roman soldier martyred for his Christian faith, is best known for slaying a fearsome dragon that terrorized the city of Silene, in Libya. George offered to kill the monster if residents of the city convert to Christianity. Here, George stands triumphantly over the dragon, writhing as it dies. The artist deliberately incorporated features intended to make his figure seem more familiar: the dragon seems more canine than reptilian, while George wears armor from the recent past and bears almost portrait-like facial features.

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