depicting St. George the Victorious on a white rampant horse with a scarlet cloak flying behind him, St. George is plunging his long spear into the dragon`s mouth, the latter rendered with a dark olive body, a red head, and a bloody mouth next to a pond of dark water; the princess Elisaba of Atalia standing at the doorstep of the palace with her parents observing the event from a window; Christ Pantocrator watching from the sky. The icon with a medieval knot-inspired painted border, further decorated with etched gold leaf, St. George`s Halo and tunic embellished with pearl-emulating ornament. Egg tempera, gold leaf, enamel paint and gesso on wood panel. Two insert splints on top and bottom, 31 x 26.3 cm (12 1/4 x 10 3/8 in.).

Bernard J. Winters was a philanthropist and art collector who was captivated by Russian icons. Over a fifty-year period, he worked closely with Sotheby`s, Christie`s, and private collectors to cultivate his collection. His monumental icons, as well as those purchased from Natalie Hays Hammond, daughter of John Hays Hammond, diplomat, were some of his favored items.


PROVENANCE
Collection of Bernard Winters, Armonk, New York