St. George and the Dragon 1872

John Ruskin presents us with 'St. George and the Dragon', filled with potent symbols of virtue and chaos locked in mortal combat. Here, Saint George, mounted, pierces the dragon with his lance, a triumphant clash between good and evil. The dragon, with its roots in ancient mythologies, embodies primordial fears and untamed nature. This motif—the hero battling the monstrous beast—echoes through time, from Babylonian epics with Marduk slaying Tiamat, to Perseus confronting Medusa. Such images serve as vessels for humanity's eternal struggle against the irrational, the destructive forces lurking both within and without. The lance—a symbol of divine will and knightly virtue—is also deeply resonant. Consider the Spear of Destiny, steeped in legend, or the lightning bolt wielded by Zeus. These recurring images speak to our collective yearning for order, for the power to overcome chaos. This resonates on a subconscious level, reflecting our deepest hopes and anxieties.