“The Wedding of Saint George and Princess Sabra,” a watercolor painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti created in 1857, is a remarkable piece belonging to the Romanticism movement. With dimensions of 34 by 34 centimeters, this religious painting is currently housed in Tate Modern, London, UK.
The artwork depicts an intimate scene where Saint George, clad in elaborate golden armor, gently embraces Princess Sabra. The figures are intricately detailed, with Rossetti capturing the affectionate bond between the saint and the princess. The background is rich with symbolism, featuring a semi-domestic setting adorned with various elements such as bells, an ornate chair, and other medieval attributes. The intricate textures, vibrant use of colors, and delicate compositional balance are distinctive characteristics of Rossetti’s Romanticism style. The atmosphere is suggestive of reverence and divine love, aligning with the painting’s religious genre. The presence of the dragon, a common symbol associated with Saint George, adds a touch of mythical significance to the composition, completing the narrative of the saint’s legendary victory and subsequent union with Princess Sabra.