St. George and the Dragon 1909

Briton Riviere painted Saint George and the Dragon with oil paints on canvas, using delicate brushstrokes and a muted color palette. It’s like he’s feeling his way through the story, one stroke at a time. Look closely and you’ll see how the dragon's scales are rendered, each one meticulously painted to give a sense of texture. Then notice how the knight's armor gleams, with each plate reflecting the light. It's this contrast between the rough texture of the beast and the smooth surface of the armor that creates a sense of depth. All the while, the painting remains opaque, concealing and revealing the many layers it took to produce. Think about it: art is never finished, only abandoned. And this painting, with all its ambiguity, invites us to participate in its ongoing creation. It reminds me of how we all learn from each other, how our ideas evolve through conversation and exchange, much like artists do across time.