MS M.399, fol. 293v

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Da Costa hours
Illuminated by Simon Bening (1483/84–1561)

Ghent, Belgium
ca. 1515
172 x 125 mm

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), 1910

MS M.399, fol. 293v
Description: 

George of Cappadocia: Slaying Dragon―A nimbed George of Cappadocia, wearing armor and a white tunic inscribed with a red cross, is mounted on a horse. With a lance, he transfixes a dragon, which is lying amid bones strewn on the ground. In the distance, the Princess of Trebizond, stands on a hill raising both hands. Beyond, several figures, including a king, look on from a tower in a castle. In the background to the left are buildings of a city.
The scene is framed by a border decorated with garlands that have floreate ornament. A pendant (possibly a pilgrim badge) is in the left border attached to two garlands. The pendant has an image of Christ raising His right hand in blessing and holding a cross-staff. In the lower border, a pendant with an image of the Crucifixion is attached to two garlands. A fly is in the lower border.

Credits: 

Image courtesy of Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz/Austria.