Saint George
Alfred Gilbert
Cast 1899
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H.: 45.7 cm (18 in.); Including base: H.: 53 cm (20 7/8 in.)
Classification
sculpture
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
279902
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This intricate statuette is composed of around 20 separate pieces. Its subject is Saint George, the patron saint of England, known for slaying a dragon. Clad in fantastical, skin-tight armor, he stands atop a stylized base that alludes to the vanquished dragon’s body. Saint George was designed by Alfred Gilbert to adorn the lavish tomb for Queen Victoria’s grandson Prince Albert Victor, who died prematurely in 1892. The queen personally installed the first version of the sculpture at Windsor Ca...