After SALVADOR DALI (Spanish, 1904-1989) Bronze Group "St George and the Dragon"

A fabulous bronze group entitled "St George and the Dragon" after Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989). This is an impressive bronze study with both realistic and surreal components. The piece captures the incredible moment of triumph over the impossible. With good detail and a rich patina, signed Dali and numbered 204/500 with Perseo foundry mark. Measures approx. 8" high x 9" wide x 5" deep. Marked in several locations. Dalí transforms the traditional iconography of the legend of Saint George, in a symbolic and interpretive work. The Saint is the brave knight in shining golden armor, represented in the act of inflicting the mortal blow on the dragon and saving the life of the princess of Selene at his side. Metamorphic touches find their way into this sculpture: the dragon’s wings morph into flames and the tongue is formed like a crutch, one of Dalí’s favored symbolic elements. The absence of facial features both in Saint George and the princess, is a typical Dalinian reference, underlining the purely symbolic significance of the figures. In this sculpture Dalí focuses on the duality between life and death and good and evil. A larger size version of this sculpture was presented to Pope John Paul II in 1995 by the Dalí Universe for display in Rome’s Vatican collection.