The artwork titled “Saint George on Horseback Slaying the Dragon” is attributed to the artist known as “Orthodox Icons” and dates from approximately 1425 to 1450. Belonging to the Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance art movement, which spanned from roughly 1261 to 1453, this piece falls within the genre of icons, specifically categorized under the series of Saints.
The artwork depicts Saint George, donned in elaborate armor, seated on a gallant steed while brandishing a spear towards a prostrated dragon beneath him. The background is rendered in rich gold tones, characteristic of Byzantine iconography, contributing to the divine and timeless essence of the scene. Saint George’s heroic action, slaying the menacing dragon, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The horse, dynamically posed in mid-stride, complements the tension and drama of the moment. The meticulous attention to detail, vibrant red hues of Saint George’s cloak, and the expressive posture of both the horse and the saint underscore the spiritual fervor and artistic excellence emblematic of the period.