Statues - Hither & Thither

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Plaça de Sant Jaume
(Palau de la Generalitat)

Sant Jordi matant el drac

Saint George slaying the dragon

(ca. 275/281 - 303)
Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. He is immortalized in the tale of Saint George and the Dragon. Patron saint of England
(Wikipedia)

patron saint of Catalonia

Andreu Aleu
1860

Description

Marble sculpture of Saint George slaying the dragon in a niche above the entrance. In the dome of the niche are three busts.

Saint George and the Dragon

The town of Silene had a pond, as large as a lake, where a plague-bearing dragon dwelled that envenomed all the countryside. To appease the dragon, the people of Silene used to feed it two sheep every day, and when the sheep failed, they fed it their children, chosen by lottery. It happened that the lot fell on the king's daughter. The king, distraught with grief, told the people they could have all his gold and silver and half of his kingdom if his daughter were spared; the people refused. The daughter was sent out to the lake, decked out as a bride, to be fed to the dragon. Saint George by chance rode past the lake. The princess, trembling, sought to send him away, but George vowed to remain. The dragon reared out of the lake while they were conversing. Saint George fortified himself with the Sign of the Cross, charged it on horseback with his lance, and gave it a grievous wound. He then called to the princess to throw him her girdle, and he put it around the dragon's neck. When she did so, the dragon followed the girl like a meek beast on a leash. Wikipedia. In art, Saint George is easily distinguished from Saint Michael, the other saint dragon slayer, since Michael as archangel is always depicted with wings.

Sculptor

Andreu Aleu i Teixidor (Tarragona 1832 - Sant Boi de Llobregat 1900), Catalan sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Pobles de Catalunya, Barcelonès.

Locatie (N 41°22'58" - E 2°10'36") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: escy056; Photograph: 6 September 2011
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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