Artwork
St. George Killing the Dragon
St. George Killing the Dragon is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 16th-century print by Albrecht Dürer depicts the legend of St. George slaying a dragon. The scene is rendered in intricate detail, with a focus on the knight's armor and the fantastical creature.
Subject & Meaning
The image represents the triumph of good over evil, as embodied by the saint's defeat of the dragon. This narrative was popular among the knightly class, who admired warrior saints like St. George.
Technique & Style
Dürer's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, with strong contrasts between light and shadow. The print's detailed rendering, from the rivets on the armor to the foliage, adds to its realism and immersive quality.
Context
Created during a time when the knightly class was in decline, the print reflects a nostalgia for the chivalric ideals of the past. Dürer's work brings a medieval legend into a new era, reimagining it with a focus on realism and detail.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
