Fine Arts

Behold Beauty: Donatello’s St. George

The Renaissance master sculptor executed a bold and dynamic St. George statue for the Guild of Armorers and Swordmakers. 
Behold Beauty: Donatello’s St. George
A marble replica of Donatello’s St. George guards the Guild of Armorers and Swordmakers niche on the façade of Orsanmichele Church, Florence, Italy. Gimas/Shutterstock
Lorraine Ferrier
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Many people around the world revere St. George for his faith, courage, and fortitude. On April 23, they celebrate St. George’s Day, the day of his martyrdom. He’s the patron saint of many countries, including England, Georgia, and Ethiopia, and he’s also the patron of professional bodies and institutions, from merchants’ guilds to the military. 
The U.S Cavalry and Armor Association (USCAA) awards the Order of St. George Medallion to the country’s top cavalry. “[St. George] is a common thread among the Armor and Cavalry forces of most of the NATO nations,” notes the USCAA website. “His memory lives on today in the spirit of the armored knight who helps soldiers in need, who is the epitome of selfless service, and who is the archetypal mounted warrior.”

The Soldiers’ St. George

Although George was never a knight, many artistic renderings of the saint from the medieval era onward depict him in shining armor slaying a dragon--often the Christian symbol of evil, Satan, or paganism.
Lorraine Ferrier
Lorraine Ferrier
Author
Lorraine Ferrier writes about fine arts and craftsmanship for The Epoch Times. She focuses on artists and artisans, primarily in North America and Europe, who imbue their works with beauty and traditional values. She's especially interested in giving a voice to the rare and lesser-known arts and crafts, in the hope that we can preserve our traditional art heritage. She lives and writes in a London suburb, in England.