Artwork

Saint George

Saint George, by German 15th Century, ink, 1465
Saint George, by German 15th Century, ink, 1465

Saint George is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1465 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This hand-colored woodcut, titled 'Saint George', is a print depicting a legendary scene. It showcases a characteristic technique of the time, where a design is carved into wood and then colored by hand.

Subject & Meaning

The image represents Saint George, a revered figure, slaying a dragon. The saint is shown on horseback, sword raised, while a woman observes from a tower in the background. The dragon lies defeated on the ground.

Technique & Style

The print features flat, bold colors without shading, achieved through hand-coloring after the woodcut process. The use of blocks of color, such as yellow, red, and green, contributes to its distinctive visual style.

Artist & collection

Portrait of German 15th Century

Artist

German 15th Century

This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.