Sf. Mucenic Gheorghe, ucigând balaurul

Poenariu employs a vivid palette, contrasting the warm reds and golds of the saint’s attire with the cooler greens and blues of the landscape. The composition directs the eye toward the central duel through diagonal lines formed by the horse’s reins and the dragon’s body. Brushwork is detailed in the figures yet looser in the background, creating a sense of depth and tension that heightens the narrative drama.

The work was completed in 1979 and subsequently entered the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in documenting Romanian visual culture of the late twentieth century, particularly works that reinterpret traditional religious themes.

During the late 1970s, Romanian artists often revisited folkloric and religious subjects, adapting them to contemporary artistic concerns. Poenariu’s rendition of Saint George aligns with this trend, merging a classic hagiographic episode with modern compositional strategies. The inclusion of a recognizable church and rural scenery situates the legend within a familiar national landscape, reinforcing cultural identity through visual storytelling.