Special Edition-AIC

Bernat Martorell
Spanish, 1400-1452
1434/35
Tempera on wood panel
61 x 38 in.
What I like about the painting is that it is in low relief so parts of the painting stick up from the painted surface including the spear, wings of the dragon, and the eyes and reigns of the horse. I have always loved this painting and have done research on it. The story of Saint George killing the dragon was popular during the 15th century. It was a mythical tale used to teach a moral lesson. Only the most naive took the stories in their literal sense. In this case the moral lesson is faith in God and the triumph of Christianity over evil. Attributes of Saint George are the dragon, lance, white steed, knight, halo, and armor. The symbolism behind these attributes are:
Lamb- represents innocence and purity
Dragon- represents Satan and sin, devourer of innocence, Dragon at the foot is sin conquered, Black is symbolic for evil
Steed- grace, White is symbol for purity
Armor- protected by the power of God
Halo- holiness
Lance- symbol of martyrdom
Saint George killing the dragon was part of an alterpiece. Alterpieces are usually painted on sanded wood panels, have several folding shutters which are kept closed on weekdays and opened for mass. Saint George Killing the Dragon was a central image of an altarpiece. It included four narrative scenes of the saint’s Martyrdom.