Saint Michael Slaying the Dragon

c. 1480/1490

Martin Schongauer

Associated Names
Martin Schongauer

Artist, German, c. 1450 - 1491

This print depicts an angelic figure standing and pointing a long staff or spear downward with both hands, aiming at a serpentine creature that lays on the ground. The tall angel's body is turned to us, with their face looking down and to the right. They have curly hair that frames their face and goes down to their shoulders, light skin, and a neutral expression. Their attire consists of long, flowing robes with detailed drapery. Large white wings extend upwards from their shoulders and there is a small cross on top of their head. The creature below them has large horns and a snout, and pointed teeth emerge from its open mouth. Its body is spiny, and it appears to have claws, pincers, and a long, sinuous tail. One of its arms reaches up to grab the spear wielded by the angel. The background is mostly plain paper, with some lines indicating flat ground.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed within platemark): 16.1 × 11.2 cm (6 5/16 × 4 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.64

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 63, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Charles Sessler, Philadelphia); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1929; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1930

  • Etchings by Martin Schongauer from the Lessing Rosenwald Collection, The Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA, 1930.

1931

  • Five Centuries of Print Making, The Print Club of Philadelphia, 1931, no. 3.

1959

  • Graphic Art of Durer and Schongauer, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1959, no catalogue.

1965

  • Selected 15th Century Prints from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, National Gallery of Art, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, 1965, no. 49.

1967

  • Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., NGA, 1967-1968, no. 84, repro.

Bibliography

1908

  • Lehrs, Max. Geschichte und kritischer Katalog des deutschen, niederlandischen und franzosischen Kupferstichs im XV. Jahrhundert. 9 vols. and 1 plate vol. Vienna: Gesellschaft fur vervielfaltigende Kunst, 1908-1934.

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberge

1967

  • Shestack, Alan. Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1967: no. 84.

Wikidata ID

Q64960266

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