“St. George”, Rafael Santi – description of the painting

Description of the picture:

Saint Jora – Rafael Santi. About 1506. Oil on canvas. 28.5×21.5

At the time of this painting, Raphael was a little over 20 years old, but by this time he was already considered one of the most recognizable masters in Italy. In his “St. George” there is nothing dramatic. The image of Christian warriors is transformed into a beautiful fairytale knight “without horror and reproach”, an impeccable personification of courage and nobility. The light figure of a man on a fighting stallion, the dreamy image of a praying princess – all this on the painter’s canvas is imbued with fairy tale poetry and magic.

Even the dragon itself is faster funny than scary. Although the scene is lively, it is characterized by compositional poise and the sense of harmony that Raphael has always sought. The lyrical subtlety of the landscape motif with fragile trees and round mounds covered with light, tender greenery shows the artist’s early work. It is clear that even the most uncomplicated pictorial compositions of Raphael painstakingly worked through in numerous preliminary drawings."