Saint George Killing the Dragon

Saint George Killing the Dragon is a masterful woodcut on laid paper created by Albrecht Dürer between 1501 and 1504. This work stands as a premier example of German printmaking during the early Renaissance, a period defined roughly by the dates 1501 to 1550. Dürer, already highly influential, utilized the woodcut medium to disseminate complex narrative imagery widely. Unlike the fine lines achievable in engraving, Dürer maximized the high contrast and bold graphic potential inherent in the woodcut technique, showcasing his technical innovation in the field of prints.

The subject depicts the legendary confrontation between Saint George, the Christian warrior-saint, and the fearsome dragon. Dürer renders the scene with remarkable detail, especially considering the constraints of the medium. George, often portrayed on horseback, is shown in full armor, actively battling the serpentine beast while the rescued princess stands nearby. This work, alongside Dürer’s other narrative prints, cemented his reputation as the preeminent graphic artist of his era, defining the aesthetic standards of German Renaissance art in the first half of the sixteenth century.

The widespread distribution of Dürer’s prints made his interpretations of biblical and legendary tales standard references across Europe. As a significant artwork created in the German lands during the 1501 to 1550 period, its historical importance is immense. This specific impression of Saint George Killing the Dragon is part of the esteemed permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the public an outstanding example of early sixteenth-century graphic technique. Given its age, high-quality images of this masterpiece are frequently available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader access to Dürer’s lasting contribution to art history.