10th Dec, 2025 12:00
Fine Paintings, Works on Paper and Sculpture | December 2025
24
GEORGE RICHMOND RA (BRITISH 1809-1896)
THE RED CROSS KNIGHT SLAYING THE DRAGON
oil on paper
32.5 x 23.5cm; 12 ¾ x 9 ¼in
45.5 x 37cm; 18 x 14 1/2in (framed)
Property from the Family of George Richmond
Provenance
Estate of the artist
Edith Richmond (1845-1934), the artist's daughter
George Henry John Richmond (1889-1967), nephew of the above, a gift in 1926
Thence by descent to the present owners
Literature
George Richmond, the artist's account book, (unpublished), National Portrait Gallery, listed under 1872, p. 54
Raymond Lister, George Richmond, A Critical Biography, London, 1981, p. 101
Painted in 1872. Richmond recorded completing the present work in 1872, on p. 54 of his account book, writing: Painted small picture of red cross knight slaying the dragon. 1872 was further verified on a now lost label in Walter Coleridge Richmond's handwriting, itself referred to in the hand written note by Peter John Inglis Richmond, great-grandson of the artist, attached to the backboard of the present work.
The subject of the Red Cross Knight Slaying the Dragon comes from Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene first published in 1590. Symbolically, the Knight represents holiness and St. George, while the dragon represents sin and the Devil. Richmond was a devout Christian, and his deeply held religous convictions had a profound influence on his work. This work harks back to the influence of Blake and the visionary subject matter of his fellow Ancients with its spiritual sentiment and atmospheric mystical quality.
Sold for £5,000
THE RED CROSS KNIGHT SLAYING THE DRAGON
oil on paper
32.5 x 23.5cm; 12 ¾ x 9 ¼in
45.5 x 37cm; 18 x 14 1/2in (framed)
Property from the Family of George Richmond
Provenance
Estate of the artist
Edith Richmond (1845-1934), the artist's daughter
George Henry John Richmond (1889-1967), nephew of the above, a gift in 1926
Thence by descent to the present owners
Literature
George Richmond, the artist's account book, (unpublished), National Portrait Gallery, listed under 1872, p. 54
Raymond Lister, George Richmond, A Critical Biography, London, 1981, p. 101
Painted in 1872. Richmond recorded completing the present work in 1872, on p. 54 of his account book, writing: Painted small picture of red cross knight slaying the dragon. 1872 was further verified on a now lost label in Walter Coleridge Richmond's handwriting, itself referred to in the hand written note by Peter John Inglis Richmond, great-grandson of the artist, attached to the backboard of the present work.
The subject of the Red Cross Knight Slaying the Dragon comes from Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene first published in 1590. Symbolically, the Knight represents holiness and St. George, while the dragon represents sin and the Devil. Richmond was a devout Christian, and his deeply held religous convictions had a profound influence on his work. This work harks back to the influence of Blake and the visionary subject matter of his fellow Ancients with its spiritual sentiment and atmospheric mystical quality.
Auction: Fine Paintings, Works on Paper and Sculpture | December 2025, 10th Dec, 2025
Auction Location: London, UK
From Rembrandt to David Bowie, Tracy Emin and Alison Wilding, our December sale offers an astonishing range of work from the last 400 years. Highlights include a rare re-discovered watercolour by Léon Bonvin (1834-1866) - left - painted at the age of 31, the year he died; some 20 works by George Richmond RA (1809-1896) which have remained with the family for the past 175 years, including his engraving The Shepherd of 1827; and the characterful Retainer from Cutch by Mortimer Menpes (1855-1938) painted during the Delhi Durbar in 1903. The sale also includes sculpture from a Private Collection, Surrey (lots 106-119).
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 7th December: 12pm - 4pm
Monday 8th December: 10am - 8pm (Drinks 5 - 8pm)
Tuesday 9th December: 10am - 5pm
For more information please contact us | pictures@olympiaauctions.com | +44 (0)20 7806 5541
