Pistrucci George & Dragon - Not fit for purpose

[Bixley]

Okay, don't take this too seriously - 

It is a classic design which I love but from a practical viewpoint -

What on earth possessed George to ride bareback? No saddle to hang stirrups from. Essential if you want to give a good thrust with a lance. The fact that a broken lance is discarded on the ground shows what a bad mistake this is. Which leads onto George now using a sword. However, where is his sword belt and scabbard? Carrying both a naked sword and a lance leaves no hand available to control the horse with the reins. 

George seems to have forgotten to put on his trousers or breeches, or any boots. The only other images I have seen of naked riders have been on dubious web sites featuring generously endowed young ladies demonstrating the rising trot. Riding with no leg protection or support in the gentleman's region is going to result in serious chafing and pain.  George also seems to have not given sufficient attention to his horse's bridle. It doesn't have a noseband which is essential to keep the bit in position. And there doesn't seem to be a brow band either, essential to keep the bridle on the horse's head. 

 

 

[James32]

As long as Dragons are real.. I don't mind!

[Stuntman]

As long as the sovereigns are real, I don't mind either.  He can be as bad a rider as he likes!

[trozau]

Two words: artistic license 

[James32]

Just now, trozau said:

Two words: artistic license 

Can you explain either word please?

[trozau]

noun. /aːˈtistik ˈlaisəns/ /aːrˈtistik ˈlaisəns/ (also artistic license) the way in which artists or writers change facts in order to make their work more interesting or beautiful.

[Booky586]

Remember reading somewhere he was inspired by the Greek horsemen depicted on Elgin marbles

[Britannia47]

6 hours ago, Bixley said:

Okay, don't take this too seriously - 

It is a classic design which I love but from a practical viewpoint -

What on earth possessed George to ride bareback? No saddle to hang stirrups from. Essential if you want to give a good thrust with a lance. The fact that a broken lance is discarded on the ground shows what a bad mistake this is. Which leads onto George now using a sword. However, where is his sword belt and scabbard? Carrying both a naked sword and a lance leaves no hand available to control the horse with the reins. 

George seems to have forgotten to put on his trousers or breeches, or any boots. The only other images I have seen of naked riders have been on dubious web sites featuring generously endowed young ladies demonstrating the rising trot. Riding with no leg protection or support in the gentleman's region is going to result in serious chafing and pain.  George also seems to have not given sufficient attention to his horse's bridle. It doesn't have a noseband which is essential to keep the bit in position. And there doesn't seem to be a brow band either, essential to keep the bridle on the horse's head. 

 

 

It was agreed at the time by Pistrucci, William Wellesley Pole, and a certain Lady Spencer that the design of the G&D should be  in the Neo-Classical (Greek) style. Thus he was naked! These questions were asked about at the time. 
This was a mythical/symbolic encounter and therefore did not need to conform to the reality or detail you mentioned.   
However, the critics had a field day with the first design, As a result, within a few weeks it was redesigned, replacing the spear handle with a sword. It then appeared on the silver crown in 1818 but not until 1821 on the Sovereign…….

 

 

 

[Thelonerangershorse]

Would have been nice if you'd posted a picture, and ideally some links to those dubious web sites.

[Bixley]

1 hour ago, Thelonerangershorse said:

Would have been nice if you'd posted a picture, and ideally some links to those dubious web sites.

I go in fear of the moderators. And the wife.

[KevjustKev]

Bareback, not really there would have been a saddle of sorts, even just a towel sized bit of leather which won't be seen as such. Also saddles as we know them didn't come in until the invention of the stirrup, which in turn didn't come to the Byzantine Empire until the late 6th century 

[Silverlocks]

Faux-classical statuary was all the rage at the time, and because reasons it was decided to do the reverse coin design in that style.  Apocryphally, they got a waiter from the hotel Pistrucci was staying at to model for George.  

[Bixley]

27 minutes ago, KevjustKev said:

Bareback, not really there would have been a saddle of sorts, even just a towel sized bit of leather which won't be seen as such. Also saddles as we know them didn't come in until the invention of the stirrup, which in turn didn't come to the Byzantine Empire until the late 6th century 

But according to Wikipedia the myth of George and the dragon dates to the 11th century which does indict him of not keeping up with the latest technology in dragon slaying.

[KevjustKev]

52 minutes ago, Bixley said:

But according to Wikipedia the myth of George and the dragon dates to the 11th century which does indict him of not keeping up with the latest technology in dragon slaying.

Half mail coat over a arming shirt, Steel helmet, with nose guard, 'kite shield' or round shield, lance and arming sword. Or just have a look at the Bayeux Tapestry 

[Britannia47]

What a bunch of heathens!  This was a classical piece of art needing no saddle or protective armour. Pistrucci wanted to display his artwork without all that equine (that's horses to you lot) paraphernalia. 

Its a great image, so stop nit-picking you pedants!  Anyway have another look at this great masterpiece....🐴.😃

 

 

[Silverlocks]

On 12/12/2022 at 00:05, Britannia47 said:

It was agreed at the time by Pistrucci, William Wellesley Pole, and a certain Lady Spencer that the design of the G&D should be  in the Neo-Classical (Greek) style. Thus he was naked! These questions were asked about at the time. 

Pretty sure Lady Spencer just wanted to perv at the waiter.

[MickB]

I wonder what the horse was thinking when St. George's balls were rubbing up and down it's back? It might explain the expression on it's face.

[SidS]

On 13/12/2022 at 09:21, KevjustKev said:

Bareback, not really there would have been a saddle of sorts, even just a towel sized bit of leather which won't be seen as such. Also saddles as we know them didn't come in until the invention of the stirrup, which in turn didn't come to the Byzantine Empire until the late 6th century 

Whose going in bareback? 😲

😁

[KevjustKev]

Just now, SidS said:

Whose going in bareback? 😲

😁

Mine fell off last time