Majestic altar painting with Saint George: unification of scenes, ascension in paradise.

(Active in the 18th century) A large altarpiece featuring Saint George. The painting combines several distinct scenes together. In the lower zone, Saint George fights the dragon and suffers martyrdom. Most of the painting depicts the ascension of Saint George into heaven as a martyr. On a cloud pedestal carried by a large angel, Saint George humbly kneels in characteristic attire of a Roman soldier or knight (though with a cross on his breastplate). To his right is depicted an angel with a martyr's palm, and to his left an angel with a spear attached to a flag bearing a white cross on a red background. The saint gazes at Christ in heaven and at the cross, surrounded by numerous other angels. Saint George is a legendary Christian saint who, according to tradition, suffered during the early Christian persecution under Diocletian (284-305) and is considered one of the most venerated saints of the Middle Ages. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and is also the patron saint of various countries, noble families, cities, knightly orders, and scouts. The iconography of this painting is particularly notable for the simultaneous depiction of several separate scenes and the flag, which may indicate that the commissioner was the Order of Saint John or the Knights Hospitaller. Oil on canvas; 248 cm x 146 cm. Framed. Provenance: From the collection of an old North German hotel family. South German artist, active in the 18th century.