A representation of a holy horseman, probably Saint George, surrounded by five other figures. The Christian kingdom of Ethiopia inherited the ancient kingdom of Aksum, whose elites had converted to Christianity in the 4th century. This Saint George is surrounded by other biblical figures, all depicted from the front, thus having a positive impact as opposed to the figures depicted in profile in the tradition of Ethiopian sacred painting, which is distinguished by numerous singularities, notably its magical and therapeutic virtues. Such paintings adorned the walls of Ethiopian round churches. Saint George, often painted on his mount slaying the dragon, is the patron saint of the Christian church in Ethiopia. Conveying masculine, protective and warrior values, he was generally painted on the outer west wall of the cube-shaped sanctuary called Mäqdäs, where the men sit during services. Note here the remnants of fine old original pigments, blue obtained from smalt (potassium silicate) and minium for orange, imported pigments used in Europe since the Renaissance, recalling the very ancient exchanges between Ethiopia and Europe since the first embassy sent by King Dawit I to Venice on July 16, 1402 to bring back religious material and pigments in particular. Ethiopia, late 18th or 19th century. Painting on canvas, re-mounted on canvas and mounted on stretcher, visible wear, missing parts and restorations, old pigments. 130 x 81 cm Provenance : Jean Roudillon Collection.