Saint George and the Dragon

Caius Haines | 2026 | Oil on canvas | 60 × 70 cm

Saint George and the Dragon is an original oil painting inspired by traditional religious iconography, exploring themes of national identity, cultural heritage and symbolism in modern Britain.

The painting reflects the irony of Saint George being England's patron saint despite his foreign origins, particularly as his image is often adopted by nationalist movements today.

Inspired by an earlier depiction of Saint George, I used a technique influenced by Andy Warhol, working with tape and a scalpel to create clean edges and smooth colour gradients.

The painting took nine months to complete, combining traditional imagery with contemporary techniques to encourage reflection on English identity and the meaning of its national symbols.