Unknown Artist, Moscow, Russia, Russian, fl. late 15th century
Title: Saint Demetrius
Date: late 15th century
Medium: Tempera on panel
Dimensions:
53 x 44.5 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 1968
Object Number: NGI.1856
Label TextSaint Demetrius (ad 270 306) was said to have been a deacon who was martyred in the Balkans. Earlier in his life he had been a soldier, and he is generally shown in this role in paintings. His popularity once rivalled Saint George and they were both patrons of the Crusades. In a composition similar to that used for Saint George, Demetrius is shown plunging a spear into a Turkish soldier. The contemporary reference is to the threat from Turkey’s expansion into the Balkans. Brightly coloured, the style suggests this was painted on the borders of modern Greece and Bulgaria.

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