St George and the Dragon 1503 - 1557

Lucantonio degli Uberti created this depiction of Saint George and the Dragon in the 16th century. The story of Saint George was a popular subject in Renaissance Italy, representing Christian virtue triumphing over evil. Here, we see George on horseback, lance in hand, poised to strike the dragon, set against a highly detailed landscape with classical ruins on the left and a walled city, labelled 'Alexandria', in the background. The image creates meaning through visual codes: the knight represents moral strength and the dragon embodies chaos. The setting is equally important. Made in a time of immense social change, consider how its themes of faith, order, and salvation resonated in a society undergoing religious and political upheaval. These can be explored further through religious texts, literature, and historical records from the period, helping us understand the painting's significance within its specific cultural and institutional context.