Artwork of the Month: St George and the Dragon and St George by Wallace Wood
29 January 2026
This month, these artworks was chosen by members of the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care team. This pair of artworks are hung in the entrance corridor of the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care department and are seen by all visitors to the space. Our Art Collection Officer, Rachel, visited the team earlier this month to discuss these artworks.
About the artwork:
These two artworks, painted by artist Wallace Wood, commemorate the doctors and nurses who passed away during the Second World War. Their names, as well as the title of Duke of Kent, then President of St George’s Hospital, are inscribed on the gilded gold frames of the artworks. In St George and the Dragon, St George is depicted holding a spear and with a gilded halo, slaying the dragon. In St George, a winged figure with a gilded halo, presumably St George, holds a sword in one hand, and reaches out with the other.
The members of the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care team appreciated that individual doctors and nurses were named on the artwork, memorialising them and their role in the Second World War. They also saw the artworks as a good link between St George, St George’s Hospital, and the space of the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care team in the hospital. As St George overcame the dragon, the team discussed how they provide support to people as they experience challenging times. One member of the team shared that the artworks reminded her of her mission and calling to be there for everyone.
About St George:
St George is the patron saint of England, and St George’s Day is celebrated on the 23 April. Very little is known about his life, it is thought that he was born in what is now modern-day Turkey in the third century. He served as an officer in the Roman Army and was killed for his Christian faith during the persecution started by Emperor Diocletian. The famous tale of St George and the Dragon is believed to have been developed during the Middle Ages – several centuries after his death! St George has been celebrated in England since at least the eighth century, and his role as the patron saint of England likely dates from the reign of Edward III.
The name of St George’s Hospital, established in 1733, may have come from St George’s Parish, in the vicinity of the original St George’s Hospital in Hyde Park.
Arts St George’s (part of St George’s Hospital Charity) is the arts programme for St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. To find out more, follow us on socials @artsstgeorges, or follow Arts St George's - St George's Hospital Charity
The 'Our Hospital: conserving, curating and responding to St George’s Art and Heritage Collection’ is a three-year project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and made possible by money raised by National Lottery players. The project is focusing on conserving, cataloguing, reinterpreting and digitising St George’s Hospital’s unique Art and Heritage Collection so it can be enjoyed by many more people.
The Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care team are a multi-faith, multi-denominational team who offer spiritual and religious care to patients, staff, visitors and volunteers. You do not have to think of yourself as ‘religious’ to make use of their service. Their aim is to enhance patient and carer experience and offer support to staff. The Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care office is located on the ground floor of Grosvenor Wing at St George’s Hospital.
