Saint George and the Dragon

Art Historical Context

This striking alabaster sculpture captures the legendary tale of Saint George slaying the dragon, a beloved Christian story symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Created by an anonymous English artist between 1370 and 1420, the work reflects the popularity of Saint George in medieval England, where he was revered as a protector and patron saint. The dramatic scene, with the armored knight confronting the fierce beast, would have served as a powerful devotional image, inspiring faith and courage among viewers in churches or private chapels. Crafted from painted and gilded alabaster, the sculpture showcases the refined techniques of late medieval English workshops. Alabaster was prized for its smooth, luminous surface, which allowed for intricate carving and vibrant polychromy—traces of which still hint at its original colorful and gilded appearance. Measuring just over 32 inches tall, this relief likely formed part of a larger altarpiece or devotional ensemble, blending narrative drama with delicate detailing in the saint’s armor and the dragon’s scales. Today in the National Gallery of Art’s collection as part of the Samuel H. Kress Collection, the piece offers a vivid glimpse into the spiritual and artistic world of 14th- and 15th-century England.