San Giorgio e il Drago
Alessio Baldovinetti (Firenze, 1427 – Firenze, 1499) cerchia
Attributed to Alessio (or Alesso) Baldovinetti (Florence, 1427 – Florence, 1499)
St George and the Dragon
Oil on panel
32 x 42 cm – framed 47 x 57 cm.
Provenance: Hampel Munich, 31 March 2017, lot 854 (Alesso Baldovinetti, attributed, €10,000–15,000)
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The fascinating painting we present here, executed in oil on panel, depicts the triumph of St George, a noble knight of the Christian faith, whose marvellous adventure against the dragon – steeped in symbolic meaning in the struggle between Good and Evil – has always been a favourite theme in art: during the Renaissance, it served to bring to life both chivalric and religious ideals and values.
“One day he arrived in the kingdom of Silene, ravaged by the presence of a terrible dragon, whose destructive power could only be contained by human sacrifices. It was none other than the ‘soldier of Christ’ who slew the dangerous beast and rescued the sovereign’s daughter from the monster’s jaws; and as a reward, he asked for neither honours nor money, but that the whole people should convert to Christianity by receiving baptism.”
In the painting, Saint George—both saint and knight—is depicted at the moment of his triumph over the dragon, as he pierces it with his lance.
He is depicted in accordance with traditional iconography, astride his steed, clad in gleaming armour and a crested helmet, whilst his iridescent red cloak appears billowing in the wind, emphasising the dynamism of the sculptural figure. In the background, slightly off-centre, stands the princess, overcome with terror, praying and imploring for her salvation.
An analysis of the stylistic features allows us to attribute the work to a Renaissance painter of Tuscan, specifically Florentine, origin, although the pictorial styles are more archaic and seem to refer to earlier painting.
In particular, the work is traditionally attributed to the Florentine Alessio Baldovinetti (Florence, 1427 – Florence, 1499), an Italian painter and draughtsman of the early Renaissance, known for his clear and meticulous style and his innovative use of light, following the examples of Paolo Uccello, Giovanni di Francesco and Andrea del Castagno.
The brilliant and contrasting colour palette, the narrative expression that skilfully conveys the fairy-tale atmosphere of the scene, and the particular attention to the landscape are elements that support this attribution to the painter, specifically during the late phase of his long career.
Very good condition; restoration and repainting.
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