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Unknown Artist, Moscow, Russia , Russian, fl. late 15th century

Title

Saint Demetrius

Datelate 15th century

MediumTempera on panel

Dimensions

53 x 44.5 cm

Credit LinePurchased, 1968

Object numberNGI.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.