Entitled “Saint George and the Dragon,” this evocative artwork is a creation of the eminent artist Odilon Redon, dating back to circa 1909. Meticulously rendered in oil on panel, the piece is an exemplar of the Symbolist movement, of which Redon was a noteworthy exponent. The genre of the painting is religious, depicting a scene that corresponds with the legend of Saint George, and it belongs to a private collection. The Symbolist movement often sought to express ideas and emotions through a nuanced visual vocabulary rather than direct representation, and this painting displays those attributes.
In the artwork, Redon conveys the mythic encounter between Saint George and the dragon with a dreamlike atmosphere, typical of his style. The scene is suffused with his signature use of vibrant, often unexpected colors. Saint George is on horseback, armored and bearing a long lance, which symbolizes his readiness to confront the dragon. The dragon itself, a symbol of the evil to be vanquished, is rendered in haunting, ambiguous forms that seem to merge with the surrounding environment, reflecting Symbolism’s preference for mystical and otherworldly portrayal. The background appears as a dynamic interplay of colors and shapes, providing a sense of a world beyond the immediate, physical encounter. The painting invites interpretation, seeking to engage the viewer in a profound narrative far beyond the mere depiction of a legend.