Artwork
St. George and the Dragon (Saint Georges et le monstre)
St. George and the Dragon (Saint Georges et le monstre) is an unspecified painting by Gustave Surand. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1894 by French painter Gustave Surand, this oil work titled *St. George and the Dragon* is part of the collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The composition captures a moment of violent confrontation, placing the legendary saint on a white horse amid a stark, rocky landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The scene illustrates the traditional legend of Saint George confronting a fearsome dragon. The armored knight thrusts his lance toward the creature’s neck while the beast looms over a prone, seemingly lifeless woman, suggesting themes of rescue, martyrdom and the triumph of faith over chaos.
Technique & Style
Surand employs pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing bright illumination on the horse and rider with deep shadows that engulf the dragon and surrounding crags. This contrast heightens the drama and gives the figures a three‑dimensional presence, while the detailed rendering of scales and armor reflects a realist approach to mythic subject matter.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has remained in institutional hands, entering the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s holdings where it is displayed among other 19th‑century European works. Its acquisition history beyond the museum’s collection records is not publicly documented.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
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