St. George Killing the Dragon
c. 1502-1507 Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, Venice
About this artwork
This painting depicts the legendary Saint George on a rearing horse, driving his spear into a fearsome dragon. The foreground is dramatically strewn with the gruesome remnants of the dragon's past victims, including human skulls and severed body parts, set against an exotic city and mountain landscape.
Did you know?
Vittore Carpaccio’s depiction of St. George and the Dragon is notable for its vivid detail and dramatic intensity, moving beyond a simple religious narrative. The startlingly gruesome foreground, filled with decaying bodies and skeletal remains, serves as a stark reminder of the dragon's terror and heightens the heroism of St. George. This version is part of a series created for the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni in Venice, illustrating episodes from the lives of patron saints, making it a significant work within the Venetian Renaissance.
On your wall. Unlock the HD download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
St. George Killing the Dragon
Vittore Carpaccio, c. 1502-1507
