The artwork titled “Saint George on Horseback” is attributed to the “Orthodox Icons” and dates from circa 1400 to circa 1450. It is part of the Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance, specifically within the time frame of 1261-1453, and belongs to the Cretan school of icon painting. As an icon, it fits within the genre of religious depiction focusing on saints and is currently housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
In the artwork, Saint George is depicted mounted on a horse, clad in traditional Byzantine armor, holding a spear. The background is gilded, which is typical for icons of this nature, providing a divine and otherworldly glow to the scene. Saint George appears in a serene demeanor, with characteristic iconographic proportion and stylization that emphasize the spiritual dimension over realistic representation. The horse is depicted prancing amidst a rocky terrain, symbolizing the saint’s triumph over adversity. The use of reds and golds is notable, contributing to the grandeur and holiness associated with the figure of Saint George in this revered religious context.
