Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Evolution of St. George in Visual Art

Saint George is an iconic figure in the western culture and have been depicted by many visual artists, from middle age to present day.

Independent published a fascinating article on the patron saint of England - Saint George: The many changing faces of St George (By Matilda Battersby). The article recorded the changes took place tracing back to 1470. Battersby said that "While the list is by no means exhaustive, it contains some of the best and most interesting works, and should provide a bit of insight into ideas of a legendary man thought to have slain a dragon."

St George German Altarpiece, 1470
St George German Altarpiece, 1470

The Beheading of St George, Padua Master, in 1370s chapel
The Beheading of St George, Padua Master, date unknown, chapel built in 1370s

George and the Dragon, Raphael, 1504
George and the Dragon, Raphael, 1504

St. George and the Dragon, Raphael, c 1505
St. George and the Dragon, Raphael, c 1505

St Georg Woodcut, 1515
St Georg Woodcut, 1515

Killing the Dragon, Paris Bordone, 1550s
Killing the Dragon, Paris Bordone, 1550s

St. George and the Dragon, Tintoretto, 1560
St. George and the Dragon, Tintoretto, 1560

The Martyrdom of St. George, Veronese, 1564
The Martyrdom of St. George, Veronese, 1564

The torture of St George, Michael Coxcie, c 1580
The Torture of St George, Michael Coxcie, c 1580

Perseus by Pierre Mignard,1679, similar to traditional representations of St George
Perseus by Pierre Mignard,1679, similar to traditional representations of St George

St George Slaying the Dragon, undated print
St George Slaying the Dragon, undated print

St George slaying the dragon, 19th century engraving
St George slaying the dragon, 19th century engraving

St George Slaying the Dragon, Gustave Moreau, 19th Century
St George Slaying the Dragon, Gustave Moreau, 19th Century

St George and the Dragon, Franz Pforr, 1811
St George and the Dragon, Franz Pforr, 1811

Engraving by W Roffe after a drawing by F Roffe, circa 1850
Engraving by W Roffe after a drawing by F Roffe, circa 1850

The four patron saints of Great Britain, 2nd from left is St George of England, c 1850
The four patron saints of Great Britain, 2nd from left is St George of England, c 1850

Hl. Georg, August Macke, 1912
Hl. Georg, August Macke, 1912

This top attracted me as well. In 2003, I produced a painting named The Triumph of Saint George:

The Triumph of Saint George / 聖喬治的勝利 / Der Triumph des Heilige George

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