Seven Panels on the Theme of St. George, the Dragon and the Maiden 1995
Seven Panels on the Theme of St. George, the Dragon and the Maiden
Catalogue raisonné no. 592
Artist's CR 547
1995
London
Metallic Resin
94.5 x 70.4 inches / 0 cm , 7 panels, each
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'After Years Underground, The Fire-Breathing Monsters are Back', The Daily Mail, 31 Augustchevron_right
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John Rendall, 'Gerald Laing Sculpture Preview', Hello!, 13 Aprilchevron_right
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'Commissions - The Sculpture Company', Sculpture 108, no.108, Aprilchevron_right
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Gerald Laing: Sculpture 1968–1999, exhibition catalogue, The Fine Art Society, 1999chevron_right
Selected Citations and Comments
Seven panels commissioned by Boots Properties for St George’s Centre, Harrow, Middlesex Sculptor, Gerald Laing FRBS.
1. The Maiden is thrown to the Dragon. By whom and for what reason is not revealed. She has a tank girl haircut and looks a little like Madonna. She hurtles helplessly through space towards the expectant beast.
2. The Dragon overpowers the Maiden. With difficulty he succeeds in binding her. The maiden considers his treatment of her a gross indignity and is angry rather than afraid.
3. The Dragons intentions will never be known for here comes a figure. Though at first it looks like the Ralph Lauren polo player, it soon becomes clear that the approaching horseman is a knight in armour.
4. The Knight approaches. The cross on his shield and surcoat tell us that he is St George. The Maiden looks surprised by the course of events. She did not expect to be rescued.
5. The Dragon enraged leaps upon the terrified horse. Blood flies from the many wounds the horse has suffered. Meanwhile St George thrusts his sharply pointed lance into the Dragon, severing its spinal cord. The wounds both animals have suffered will it is feared be fatal, St George however remains unscathed. The Maiden is nowhere to be seen.
6. St George raises his great sword to deliver the coup-de-grace. The Maiden is horrified by the spectacle.
7. His helmet removed, St George is revealed as an extremely handsome young man, his arm gently encircles the Maiden. Her expression is puzzled rather than joyous. Perhaps she is wondering what life with the Dragon might have been like if it had not been so violently interrupted.