Alessio Baldovinetti Cerchia, Saint George and the Dragon, 1490, Oil on Panel, Framed

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Description

Alessio (or Alesso) Baldovinetti (Florence, 1427 – Florence, 1499) circle
Saint George and the Dragon

Oil on panel
32 x … Read more Alessio (or Alesso) Baldovinetti (Florence, 1427 – Florence, 1499) circle
Saint George and the Dragon

Oil on panel
32 x 42 cm. - framed 47 x 57 cm.

The interesting painting we present, executed in oil on panel, illustrates the triumph of Saint George, a noble knight of the Christian faith. His amazing adventure against the dragon, imbued with symbolic meaning in the struggle between Good and Evil, has always been a favorite theme in art: in the Renaissance period, it allowed for the representation of both chivalric and religious ideals and values.

One day he arrived in the kingdom of Silene, plagued by the presence of a terrible dragon, whose destructive power could only be contained by human sacrifice. It was the "soldier of Christ" who slew the dangerous beast and saved the sovereign's daughter from the monster's jaws. As a reward, he asked for neither honors nor money, but rather that all the people convert to Christianity and receive baptism.

In the painting, Saint George, both saint and knight, is captured in the moment of his triumph over the Dragon, impaling it with his spear.

He is depicted according to traditional iconography, astride his steed, dressed in shining armor and a crested helmet, while his iridescent red cloak appears billowing in the wind, enhancing the sculptural figure's dynamism. In the background, the terrified princess prays for her salvation.

Analysis of the features allows us to attribute the work to a Renaissance painter of Tuscan culture, typically Florentine, although the pictorial style is more archaic and harks back to earlier painting.

In particular, the work bears a traditional attribution to the Florentine Alessio Baldovinetti (Florence, 1427 – Florence, 1499), an Italian painter and draftsman of the early Renaissance, known for his clear, accurate style and innovative use of light, modeled after Paolo Uccello, Giovanni di Francesco, and Andrea del Castagno.

The bright, contrasting color palette, the narrative expression that skillfully conveys the fairytale atmosphere of the episode, and the particular interest in landscape are elements that support this attribution to the painter, specifically in the late phase of his long career.

Very good condition, restorations and overpaintings. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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