#53844 France

The composition presents a dramatic narrative scene dominated by a central figure on horseback confronting a serpentine creature. The palette is rich and earthy, with ochre and brown tones forming the backdrop against which the figures are rendered in comparatively brighter hues.
Here we see a male figure, clad in dark attire and crowned with antlers, seated atop a white horse. He holds a long staff or spear pointed downwards towards a large, green serpent that writhes on the ground. The serpent’s form is exaggerated, its scales meticulously detailed, and it appears to be emerging from a pool of red liquid – likely symbolic of blood or sacrifice.
To the left, a female figure, also adorned with a crown, observes the scene from an elevated position atop what seems to be a donkey. Her expression conveys a mixture of apprehension and supplication; her hands are raised in a gesture that could signify prayer or intercession. A celestial presence is suggested above, indicated by a hand emerging from the upper portion of the canvas, seemingly offering benediction or divine approval.
The artist’s style exhibits a degree of stylized realism. The figures possess elongated proportions and somewhat stiff poses, characteristic of certain medieval artistic conventions. Attention to detail is evident in the rendering of textures – the horses coat, the serpent’s scales, and the elaborate patterns on the garments.
Subtexts within the painting suggest themes of conflict between good and evil, divine intervention, and perhaps a symbolic representation of power or dominion. The antlered crown worn by the central figure could allude to a connection with nature or pagan deities, while his confrontation with the serpent implies a struggle against malevolent forces. The presence of the female figure and the celestial hand introduces elements of piety and divine sanction, potentially framing the narrative as a triumph of virtue over adversity. The red liquid pooling at the base of the composition adds an element of violence and sacrifice to the overall meaning.