Saint George and the Dragon

Unknown

ca. 1460–70 · Limewood with paint and gilding · Medieval Art

Saint George was a soldier of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r. 284–305) who became a Christian martyr when he chose torture and death over renouncing his faith. Venerated by both Muslims and Christians during the medieval period, Saint George was renowned for his bravery. One thirteenth-century story recounts how he rescued the entire population of a Libyan town from a dragon by singlehandedly defeating the creature in combat. This sculpture presents Saint George with his right foot pressing into the neck of the vanquished dragon. George became a patron saint for crusaders and numerous chivalric orders, including the Order of the Garter established by the English King, Edward III, in 1348.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1460–70

Medium

Limewood with paint and gilding

Culture

South German

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of George Blumenthal, 1941