Artwork
Saint George and the Dragon
Saint George and the Dragon is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1512 woodcut, Saint George and the Dragon, is a print by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a prominent figure in the German Renaissance.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts the legendary battle between Saint George on horseback and a massive dragon coiled around a rocky cliff, surrounded by fleeing figures, trees, and crumbling buildings, exemplifying a common motif in Christian hagiography.
Technique & Style
The woodcut's busy lines and dramatic action are characteristic of Cranach's style and the era's printmaking techniques, which involved carving images into wood blocks to produce printed designs.
History & Provenance
Although attributed to Johannes Stigelius in some sources, the print is actually the work of Lucas Cranach the Elder, who served as court painter to the Electors of Saxony and produced works for both Catholic and Lutheran contexts.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
