Saint George the Victorius by Natalia Goncharova

Saint George the Victorius 1914

lithograph, print

ink drawing

pen drawing

lithograph

print

pen sketch

pencil sketch

junji ito style

ink drawing experimentation

pen-ink sketch

tattoo art

pencil art

doodle art

Natalia Goncharova’s 1914 lithograph “Saint George the Victorius” is a dramatic portrayal of the legendary saint on horseback, slaying a dragon with a spear. The image is rendered in black and white, with bold, simplified forms and sharp lines that evoke the style of the Russian avant-garde. Saint George is depicted as a cloaked figure with outstretched wings, while the dragon is represented by a scattering of skeletal remains. The composition is dominated by stark contrasts between light and dark, suggesting the struggle between good and evil. The artist’s use of strong symbolism, dynamic lines, and dramatic chiaroscuro creates a powerful and memorable image.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Russian artists responded to the outbreak of war in Central Europe in 1914 in paintings and works on paper. In her portfolio "Mystical Images of War," Natalia Goncharova depicts all aspects of armed conflict past and present, ranging from the archangel Michael riding triumphantly through flames on horseback to celestial beings observing fighter planes in combat. She realizes her apocalyptic vision of war in this powerful portfolio of masterful lithographs formally inspired by the solemn gravity of traditional Russian icons and the dynamism of contemporary Futurist painting. She successfully draws upon these diverse stylistic influences to express the horror of armed conflict.