Muurschildering van Sint Joris in het Klooster van Bethanië te Georgië 1869 - 1925

This preliminary sketch by Antoon Derkinderen depicts Saint George in the Bethanië monastery in Georgia. Here, the saint is a symbolic embodiment of Christian valor, poised with spear and shield, ready to combat evil. Consider how the motif of the saint as a divine warrior echoes across time. Recall the ancient Greek depictions of heroes in the Trojan War, or even further back to Mesopotamian gods battling chaos. This symbolic confrontation is not merely visual, but a deep-seated human need to see order triumph over disorder. This archetype, deeply embedded in the cultural psyche, reappears throughout history. We see echoes of it in Renaissance paintings, medieval tapestries, and even in modern-day superhero narratives. Each age recasts the eternal battle, using the artistic language available. We see this power of symbolic combat and the psychological relief it brings. Note how the depiction of St. George, armed and resolute, serves as a powerful emotional touchstone, reassuring viewers of the possibility of overcoming even the most daunting challenges. It shows us how symbols persist, evolve, and are imbued with new cultural significance across the ages.