Saint George

Patrociño Barela, Saint George, ca. 1935-1943, carved juniper, 1710 125 34 in. (43.226.714.6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.1

Artwork Details

Title
Saint George
Date
ca. 1935-1943
Dimensions
1710 125 34 in. (43.226.714.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Transfer from the General Services Administration
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved juniper
Classifications
Subjects
  • New Deal — Works Progress Administration, Federal Art Project — New Mexico
  • Emblem — cross
  • Religion — saint — St. George
Object Number
1985.65.1

Artwork Description

According to Christian tradition, St. George slew a dragon with the help of God and one strike of his lance. In this carving the top of the saint’s weapon forms a cross to show the source of his miraculous victory. Each of Patrociño Barela’s sculptures is carved from a single block of wood because he believed that this increased its spiritual power.

Works by this artist (5 items)

John Alexander, Living Your Life in a Goldfish Bowl, 1985, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of United Stationers, Inc., 1995.70.1
Living Your Life in a Goldfish Bowl
Date1985
oil on canvas
Not on view
Welcome to My World
Date1982
watercolor and gouache on heavy off-white paper
Not on view
John Alexander, Conversations with a Spider, 1980, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art ( Museum purchase, William A. Clark Fund), 2020.20.5
Conversations with a Spider
Date1980
oil on canvas
Not on view
John Alexander, Ship of Fools, 2006-2007, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James F. Dicke Family, 2013.87.1, © 2007, John Alexander
Ship of Fools
Date2006-2007
oil on canvas
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Patrociño Barela, Man in the Time of Solomon, ca. 1935-1943, carved juniper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.5
Man in the Time of Solomon
Dateca. 1935-1943
carved juniper
On view
Gloria Lopez Cordova, Our Lady of Light, 1997, carved aspen and juniper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Julia D. Strong Endowment, 1998.32
Our Lady of Light
Date1997
carved aspen and juniper
On view