Saint George and the Dragon
c. 1570
Medium
Pen and brown ink with brush and brown wash, with additions of graphite, on cream laid paper, laid down on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
20.4 × 26.2 cm (8 1/16 × 10 3/8 in.)
Classification
ink with wash
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
105802
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Behold the dynamic drawing *Saint George and the Dragon*, created around 1570 by a follower the renowned Genoese Mannerist Luca Cambiaso. intimate work on cream laid paper captures the timeless legend of the Christian knight Saint George slaying the fearsome dragon to rescue a princess, a popular motif in Renaissance art symbolizing the triumph of faith over evil. Cambiaso's influence is evident in the elongated figures and dramatic poses, hallmarks of Mannerism—a stylish evolution from High Renaissance harmony, emphasizing elegance and emotional intensity. Executed in pen and brown ink with brush and brown wash, plus subtle graphite additions, the piece showcases masterful techniques of the period. The fluid ink lines define bold contours, while the brown wash builds depth and shadow, creating a sense of movement and three-dimensionality on the modest 20.4 × 26.2 cm sheet. Laid down on ivory paper for preservation, it exemplifies the preparatory sketches and autonomous drawings prized by 16th-century collectors. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this work highlights the technical virtuosity of Italian draughtsmanship during Mannerism's peak. It invites visitors to appreciate how such studies bridged painting and graphic arts, influencing generations of artists.