Saint George and the Dragon Italian School Painting 1700s.
From Italy an exquisite Baroque Style painting depicting Saint George and the Dragon, an Italian Lombard School oil on oak panel painting, in good condition, dating back to the early 18th century.
The antique painting depicts the saint dismounting from his horse after taming the monstrous dragon, who succumbs and lies subdued, on the ground in the lower right part of the composition, his jaws wide open.

The legend told by Jacopo da Varagine has it that the dragon harassed the Libyan city of Selem and that its inhabitants to keep it tame offered constant sacrifices to it. When it was the King’s daughter’s turn St. George appeared on horseback and neutralized him, then invited the princess to tie him up and lead him to the city.

In this ancient work the central figure is that of St. George. He is portrayed in a standing position, dismounting from his horse with his feathered helmet, the ‘broad purple cloak thrown over his shoulder and his arm raised as he addresses the princess, kneeling before him, hands clasped, absorbed in prayer. The winged dragon succumbs defeated and subdued at the feet of the saint.

The panel painting is set in an antique giltwood frame and shows old painting restorations. It comes from a private collection of Milan.