Tintoretto St George and the dragon, ca 1555-58, 157.5 x 100 Tintoretto (Jacopo Robusti) (1518-1594)

The composition presents a dramatic narrative unfolding within a landscape dominated by turbulent skies and dense foliage. A central figure on horseback charges forward, engaged in a violent encounter with a monstrous creature emerging from the water. The scene is framed by an arched top border, which emphasizes its verticality and creates a sense of theatrical presentation.
Here we see a young woman positioned at the lower right corner of the canvas. Her posture conveys a mixture of fear and awe as she gazes towards the action. She wears elaborate attire, suggesting nobility or royalty, and her outstretched hand hints at an appeal for intervention or perhaps a gesture of supplication. The artist has rendered her skin with a luminous quality that contrasts sharply with the darker tones surrounding her.
The dragon-like beast is depicted in a dynamic pose, its body partially submerged in water, revealing scales and powerful musculature. Its expression appears to be one of rage and pain as it confronts the mounted figure. The creature’s form blends elements of reptilian and mammalian anatomy, contributing to its fantastical nature.
The rider on horseback is armored and carries a lance pointed towards the beast. He embodies strength and heroism, his posture suggesting decisive action. The horse itself is rendered with considerable detail, showcasing its muscular build and spirited movement. Above them, a bright celestial light emanates from behind the clouds, illuminating the scene and adding a sense of divine intervention or blessing.
The landscape background features a dense forest on one side and a distant castle perched atop a rocky outcrop on the other. The foliage is rendered with loose brushstrokes, creating a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – greens, browns, and ochres – with splashes of vibrant red in the woman’s garment and the dragons scales.
Subtly, the painting explores themes of courage versus adversity, faith versus doubt, and the triumph of good over evil. The presence of the celestial light suggests a divine mandate for the hero’s actions, while the terrified expression on the woman’s face underscores the peril of the situation. The compositions vertical format lends itself to a devotional reading, emphasizing the heroic figure as an intermediary between the earthly realm and the heavens.