Saint George and the Dragon

c. 1465/1470

Israhel van Meckenem

Associated Names
Israhel van Meckenem

Artist, German, c. 1445 - 1503

The image shows a circular composition with a knight on horseback in the center. The knight is clad in armor and tilts a lance towards a dragon on the ground. A woman in elaborate clothing and a small dog stand to the left, watching the confrontation. The background features a castle with towers and battlements. The scene is monochromatic, using shades of gray and black. Fine details are shown in the brushstrokes or etching marks, defining textures in the castle stonework and dragon scales. Various plants and rocky formations complete the landscape.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of the 50th Anniversary Gift Committee

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 17.1 cm (6 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1991.97.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Lehrs, Vol. 9, p.281, no. 344, State ii/ii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

William Esdaile [1758-1837], London (Lugt 2617); D'Arenberg Collection, Brussels and Westphalila (Lugt 567); Albert W. Blum [1882-1952], Short Hills, NJ (Lugt 79b); (Frederick Mulder, London); gift to the NGA, 1991.

Associated Names

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

1991

  • Art for the Nation: Gifts in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1991: supplement.

Inscriptions

lower center, in plate: Israhel; lower center, below artist's signature, in black ink: WE [written collector's mark of William Esdaile (Lugt 2617)]; lower center verso in graphite: WM. / L.9 / VI. B98. L 344

Watermarks

Hand with flower (Lehrs IX, 9)

Wikidata ID

Q74891077

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