Who painted Cadmus and the Dead Dragon?

Cadmus and the Dead Dragon was painted by Unknown in 1682.

Where can I see Cadmus and the Dead Dragon?

Cadmus and the Dead Dragon is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Cadmus and the Dead Dragon

Cadmus and the Dead Dragon is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1682 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1682 by the artist identified as 788_person, the black‑and‑white image titled “Cadmus and the Dead Dragon” is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition presents a mythic tableau rendered in stark tonal contrast, emphasizing the dramatic encounter between human figures and a serpentine creature.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a male figure, unclothed and with arms outstretched, confronting a coiled dragon whose head turns toward him, while a female figure hovers above, clutching a cloak. The arrangement alludes to the ancient legend of Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, who slew a dragon and sowed its teeth to generate warriors, suggesting themes of triumph over chaos and the birth of civilization.

Technique & Style

The work relies on chiaroscuro, employing deep shadows against bright highlights to model the figures and the dragon with a three‑dimensional presence. The high contrast isolates the characters from a background of storm‑like clouds and jagged rock formations, intensifying the sense of drama and lending the image a sculptural quality despite its two‑dimensional medium.

History & Provenance

Attributed to 788_person, the piece dates to the late 17th century, a period when European artists often revisited classical myths. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains catalogued as an example of early modern graphic treatment of mythological subjects.