St. George and the Dragon 1909

Briton Riviere's St. George and the Dragon is a swirl of subdued browns, grays, and greens. It pulls you into a world of knights, dragons, and classic struggles. I wonder what Riviere was thinking as he layered the paint to create the dragon's scaly skin and the knight's gleaming armor? Look at how he captures the weight of the dragon pressing down, almost obscuring the fallen horse. It’s like a moment suspended, a breath held. Notice the fine brushstrokes and the way he builds up texture to define form. See how the knight's upward gaze communicates hope, defiance, and a hint of surrender? It reminds me a little of Caravaggio, or even the Pre-Raphaelites, but with a touch of something else. Painting is like alchemy, isn't it? Transforming feelings into form and inviting us to ponder the many meanings of a single gesture.