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Saint George and the Dragon, by Israhel van Meckenem, ink, 1485

Saint George and the Dragon

Israhel van Meckenem

1485

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

Saint George and the Dragon is a 1485 ink by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
Israhel van Meckenem
When & what style?
1485 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a knight in heavy armor on horseback, sword raised, fighting a giant dragon. A princess stands nearby, watching. The knight’s horse rears up, and the dragon’s mouth is wide open, claws outstretched. In the background, a castle sits on a hill, with trees and a winding river below. The artist used sharp lines and shadows to create depth, making the scene feel dramatic. The knight’s armor and the dragon’s scales are detailed, showing skill with the tool. Next, check out the technique: engraving to see how artists like this made prints.

About the artist

Portrait of Israhel van Meckenem
Artist

Israhel van Meckenem

Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…

See the richer artist page

More by Israhel van Meckenem

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