St. George 1470 - 1503

Israhel van Meckenem created this engraving of ‘St. George’ sometime before his death in 1503. Van Meckenem lived in a time of religious and social upheaval. His images were made during the transition from the late Middle Ages to the early Renaissance. Van Meckenem’s ‘St. George’ represents the saint in full armor, spearing a dragon while a princess looks on. St. George is a popular figure, often seen as the protector of the innocent. But here, one wonders about power, and who gets to wield it. George’s triumph over the dragon is not just a victory of good over evil, but also a statement about the social and religious orders of the time. Van Meckenem situates George as a symbol of Christian authority, subduing what was seen as a pagan threat. The image speaks to broader questions about how societies construct heroes, legitimize power, and define themselves against perceived enemies. What does it mean to stand against a dragon?