Saint George
Alfred Gilbert
1899
- Medium
- Bronze
- Dimensions
- H.: 45.7 cm (18 in.); Including base: H.: 53 cm (20 7/8 in.)
- Genre
- Sculpture
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Styles
Tags
religionSt.-Georgenineteenth century19th centurycasting (process)religious figuresknightshelmetsenglishfiguredragonsculptureinorganic materialSaintsChristian subjectsmanreligiousbronzeweaponsmetalworkingArmorswordnonferrous alloymetal
About
This intricate statuette is composed of around 20 separate pieces. Its subject is Saint George, the patron saint of England, known for slaying a dragon. Clad in fantastical, skin-tight armor, he stands atop a stylized base that alludes to the vanquished dragon’s body. Saint George was designed by Alfred Gilbert to adorn the lavish tomb for Queen Victoria’s grandson Prince Albert Victor, who died prematurely in 1892. The queen personally installed the first version of the sculpture at Windsor Castle in 1898. Gilbert had this bronze replica produced a year later to sell to a private collector.