The artwork, titled “Saint George” and created by an anonymous artist under the designation “Orthodox Icons,” originates from the period circa 1500 to circa 1600. This piece is a product of the Galicia-Volyn school and belongs to the icon genre, specifically categorized in the “Saints” series.
In the artwork, Saint George is depicted in the heroic act of slaying a dragon. The scene is painted on a wooden panel with a background of gold, characteristic of Orthodox iconography. Saint George, clad in a dark armor with ornate patterns, rides a white horse. He is shown triumphantly raising his lance, delivering a decisive blow to the dragon beneath the horse’s hooves. Above Saint George, angelic figures gaze down, seemingly offering divine support and approval. The dragon, rendered in black with red wings, symbolizes the embodiment of evil and chaos. The gilded background and the stylization of figures are indicative of the traditional iconographic style, focusing on the spiritual and symbolic rather than the realistic portrayal. The composition is framed with a narrow, darker border, guiding the viewer’s gaze towards the central narrative of the victory of good over evil.
