Saint George Slaying the Dragon 1871

Emmanuel Frémiet created this bronze sculpture of Saint George slaying the dragon in France sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. The image of Saint George, a Christian knight vanquishing a dragon, had long been deployed as a symbol of good triumphing over evil. In the 19th century, we see it used as a national symbol for countries such as England and Russia. By the time Frémiet made this sculpture, the medieval knight had become an increasingly popular symbol in European art, evoking a sense of chivalry and national pride. Representations of knights served as a not-so-subtle reminder of each nation's military prowess. They encouraged a nostalgic longing for a romanticized past, which served to affirm the existing social order. The study of iconography, the meaning of symbols, is crucial to understanding the politics of imagery. Only by understanding its historical context can we fully appreciate the nuances of its meaning.