Artwork

Stage Set with a Statue Of Saint George Slaying the Dragon

Stage Set with a Statue Of Saint George Slaying the Dragon, by Robert Caney, ink, 1584
Stage Set with a Statue Of Saint George Slaying the Dragon, by Robert Caney, ink, 1584

Stage Set with a Statue Of Saint George Slaying the Dragon is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Robert Caney. It dates from 1584 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Executed on wove paper, the composition combines watercolor, gouache, pen and black ink over a graphite underdrawing, with highlights of white gouache.

Robert Caney’s 1584 drawing, titled *Stage Set with a Statue of Saint George Slaying the Dragon*, depicts a theatrical scenery design. Executed on wove paper, the composition combines watercolor, gouache, pen and black ink over a graphite underdrawing, with highlights of white gouache. The image presents a gilded platform supporting a sculptural group of Saint George on horseback confronting a dragon, framed by elaborate curtains and ancillary figures.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif is the legendary encounter of Saint George, the Christian martyr, triumphing over a dragon, a symbol of evil. By placing the statue within a staged setting, the work reflects the interplay between religious narrative and performance, suggesting how sacred stories were dramatized for public audiences in the late sixteenth century.

Technique & Style

Caney employed a layered watercolor and gouache approach, building color through successive washes that give the surface a luminous depth. Pen and black ink define outlines and intricate details, while white gouache adds reflective accents on gilded surfaces. The overall effect balances flat decorative elements with a sense of three‑dimensional space, characteristic of contemporary stage‑design sketches.

History & Provenance

Created in 1584, the drawing is attributed to the English artist Robert Caney, known for his work on theatrical and religious subjects. The piece has remained in private collections before entering a museum holding focused on early modern visual culture, where it serves as a rare example of a detailed stage‑set plan from the period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Robert Caney

Artist

Robert Caney

Robert Caney (1552–1615) was an artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.