Collection Name : Metropolis of Mytiline, Eressos and Plomari
Year : 17nth century
Dimension : 97 x 60cm
Conditions : Very good
Current Place : CHURCH OF SAINT SYMEON, MYTILENE
Description : St George is depicted mounted on a robust grey horse that gallops towards the right side of the icon. He is presented full length wearing a military uniform, and a red cloak that streams in the wind, enhancing the sense of movement. The background is gold and the schematically rendered barren mountain peaks denotes the laconism of the scene. He holds the reins of the horse with his left hand, while with a long spear, slays the dragon. On the rear of the horse, a young man sits together with the saint, gazing at him with astonishment. He is holds a jug and the ewer. In the same miniaturist type, the figure of princes is depicted in front of the horse, full length, wearing a red garment with her hands extended in attitude of prayer. The scene describes the miracle intervention of the saint in rescuing both of them from the Saracens captivation. In the left top corner of the panel, in a quadrant cycles and in nuances of alternating blue color that represents heaven, Christ is depicted in half length, emanating gold rays. He is pointing towards the saint, blessing him with his right hand, while holding a closed scroll with his left. At the bottom side of the panel, and in a separate board, the composition ends, with the final moment of the saint. The inscription: “THE BEHEADING OF THE SAINT”, can be read. The stylistic and iconographic style of the icon, indicts a dating of the work in the 17nth century.
