Hello everyone! I've been researching paintings commissioned in Genoa in 1625-1627, amidst the 30 Year War, and I noticed that several seem to have common characteristics, such as a red armband worn by soldiers. What did the colour of the armband symbolise and what was its purpose?
Also, I noticed that on some swords, the hilt is decorated with what seems to be Saint George killing the Dragon. What does that symbolism mean or represent?
Thank you!!
Would you mind sharing with us some of those paintings? Seeing the dates and place you mention, first guy that comes to mind is Ambrogio Spinola, and the red armband he is normally wearing is to signify the rank of an officer general (or just general). You can see these armbands in other portraits of people like Philip II of Spain. Basically, the red armband was a substitute of the red sash of a general (see portraits of people like the III Duke of Alba or Alessandro Farnese) as it was more comfortable to wear.
Maybe you are looking specifically at officers and generals? I mean, it would make sense, considering that they are the kind of people that could afford a painting, something quite far out of the purchasing power of a common soldier.
The presence of Saint George is quite simple to expain: he is the patron saint of Genova.