About Robbin Expertise I`m versed in all areas of fashion history. From Medieval to Modern, all cultures, all eras. Some specific areas of interest are women`s fashions and how they relate to the cultural and political climate of the time, and petticoats, crinolines, and other undergarments. I have a degree in Anthropology and Art History from the American University in Washington, D.C.
Expert: Robbin Date: 10/31/2004 Subject: Saint George And The Dragon
Question Hello Robbin,
(Please note, if you are not Robbin, you can ignore this. The "name of expert" was and for some reason missing from the web page and I am guessing here.)
Robbin,
Thank you so much for your most informative observations. Yes, The painting is a most interesting subject--but to clear up a popular misconception, the name of the painting--if it was attributed by Uccello at all, which I greatly doubt--is completely misleading. (Like so much else, the symbolism here too, was probably hijacked by the Vatican. Note, the glaring absence, in the case of St. George, of a red cross on a white background!)
Far from being on a religious theme, the authentic theme is of class struggle--in particular as was going on in Florence at the time.
The character on the horse is almost certainly Cosimo di Medici. (All--of the armor, the face, the livery and the white horse are distinctly redolent of two famous portraits of him.) The dragon represents the Folorentine populace--specifically the craftsmen's Guilds, with whom Cosimo was in opposition at the time. On a wider theme it probably represents "Free Speech" (The Dragon is lanced in his EYE.)
The woman though, has me stumped. She may represent the ruling Oligachy, headed by the Albizi family, and with whom Cosimo had reached a form of tacit agreement (suggested in the painting by the upturned hand)--but the colours she is wearing are those of the Medicis!
Indeed, the painting is practically exploding with symbolisms which do not bear going into here, and of which I would not wish to, either, until my book is published.
I was wondering at this point however, if you have anything to say about the woman's hair style/(tiara?) In particular, is there anything of an indicative fashion statement in what would appear to be her deliberately receded hairline?
Regards,
Dan O'Hanlon
Answer Hi Dan ~ It certainly does get more interesting then doesn't it? Taken into this new context, it really is a puzzle. Certainly not Catherine de Medici as I don't believe she was even born yet, or if she was, is certainly not old enough to be the woman in the figure. And I don't really think it would be her mother either (Madeleine de la Tour d'Auvergne). However, maybe the answer lies in the Treaty of Lodi? I noticed the colours of her dress are familiar to the colours of the Visconti- Borromeo family as well. Maybe there is a woman from Borromeo, Visconti or Sforza that would fit into the picture. And specifically to answer your question ;) the woman's hairstyle is indicative of aristocratic women in general of the time period in Italy. They were known to pluck their eyelashes and eyebrows as well as shave their heads many inches back from their natural hairline, creating a dramatically receding silhouette. Based on the receding hairstyle, it would appear that the woman is either a) nobility or b) someone who at least wants to appear as if she is. Hope this helps a bit at least!
