Saint George Slaying the Dragon Oil painting In Ethiopian Orthodox art, the depiction of Saint George (Kidus Giyorgis) slaying the dragon is one of the most iconic and ubiquitous themes, typically rendered in the vibrant, two-dimensional Gondarine style. The saint is almost always portrayed as a youthful, haloed knight mounted on a spirited white horse, thrusting a long spear into the mouth of a serpent-like dragon coiled at the bottom of the frame. Unlike Western versions, Ethiopian paintings often include Birutawit (Princess Edith) watching from a tree or a nearby fortress, representing the soul or the Church being saved. The figures are characterized by large, soulful eyes, bold black outlines, and a palette dominated by primary colors like red, yellow, and green. The background is frequently flat and divided into registers, emphasizing the spiritual symbolism of the victory of good over evil rather than realistic perspective.
