Artwork
Saint George
Saint George is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Benedetto Montagna. It dates from 1506 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Benedetto Montagna's engraving 'Saint George' dates to around 1506. It is one of approximately 53 engravings he produced between 1500 and 1523, showcasing his skill as a printmaker in northern Italy.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts Saint George, a Christian knight, slaying a dragon. A burning city is visible in the background, and a woman and child observe the scene to the right, suggesting a narrative context for the saint's actions.
Technique & Style
The engraving features sharp, detailed lines and heavy shading, achieved through cross-hatching, a technique using crisscrossed lines to create depth and texture without color. This method is evident in the rendering of the knight's armor and the dragon's scales.
History & Provenance
Benedetto Montagna was trained by his father, Bartolomeo Montagna, a leading painter. Benedetto worked primarily as an engraver and became the most prolific printmaker of his generation in northern Italy before inheriting the family workshop in 1523.
Artist & collection
Artist
Benedetto Montagna (c. 1480–1555/58) was an Italian engraver and painter. Montagna was born in Vicenza, the son of the leading painter of the city, Bartolomeo Montagna, with whom he trained and perhaps continued to…
