Saint George & Dragon Painted Wood Icon in 19th-Century Italian Giltwood Frame

Details

Description

A striking Old World devotional icon depicting Saint George slaying the dragon, hand-painted on a substantial, thick piece of aged … Read more A striking Old World devotional icon depicting Saint George slaying the dragon, hand-painted on a substantial, thick piece of aged wood and presented in a separately acquired 19th-century Italian giltwood frame.

The 6" × 8" wood panel depicts Saint George mounted on horseback, thrusting his lance toward the dragon beneath him. Deep reds, greens, ochres, and dark outlining contrast against a richly aged gold-toned ground, with remnants of inscriptions visible across the upper portion of the composition.

Of particular interest is the physical character of the icon itself. Rather than being executed on a thin modern artist's panel, the painting is carried on a thick, solid piece of old wood, giving it the substantial character of a traditional devotional panel. The painted surface exhibits extensive craquelure, pigment wear, abrasions, cracking, and areas of loss consistent with considerable age and use.

The icon has been paired with a separately acquired 19th-century Italian giltwood frame, measuring 14.5" W × 16.5" H. The frame was catalogued at auction as Italian and 19th century. Its opening happens to accommodate the 6" × 8" wood icon exceptionally well.

The richly modeled frame features scrolling acanthus ornament and an inner egg-and-dart border, with beautifully aged gilding, rubbing, darkened recesses, and surface wear. The scale of the frame gives the relatively intimate devotional panel an impressive architectural presence.

The icon and frame were acquired separately and were not originally together. They have subsequently been combined because of their unusually complementary proportions and Old World character.

The exact age, geographic origin, and authorship of the painted wood icon have not been independently authenticated; it is therefore offered conservatively as a Byzantine-style Saint George devotional icon painted on an old wood panel.

Dimensions:
Overall framed: 14.5" W × 16.5" H
Painted wood icon: 6" W × 8" H See less