Saint George and the Dragon c. 1470 - 1475

Editor: So, this is Martin Schongauer’s “Saint George and the Dragon,” made around 1470 to 1475. It’s an engraving. The detail is incredible, but there’s also something almost unsettling about the dragon's goofy expression. What social commentary do you see reflected in this work, especially considering the period it was created? Curator: Well, consider the function of images like these in the late 15th century. This print would have circulated widely, carrying not just a religious narrative, but also reinforcing societal power structures. Saint George, the idealized knight, subdues the 'grotesque' dragon, embodying a Christian, masculine ideal triumphing over chaos and the 'other'. Think about who 'the other' might have been for Schongauer's audience. Editor: You mean, it’s about more than just good versus evil? Curator: Exactly! The dragon can be interpreted as symbolizing anything from heresy to paganism to, perhaps, even societal anxieties about the roles of women. Notice how the princess is a passive observer, a symbol of what needs to be rescued and controlled. How does that interplay with contemporary discussions around female agency? Editor: I hadn’t thought about that connection. So, the print is basically a political statement disguised as a religious scene? Curator: In a way, yes. Art is rarely neutral. Schongauer was visually encoding specific social values. What about the setting—does the architecture in the distance provide more context? Editor: Now that you mention it, the contrast between the chaos in the foreground and the organized civilization in the background suggests order prevailing over disorder. I guess that adds another layer to the whole political message. Curator: Precisely. By understanding the context in which these images were made and consumed, we reveal deeper meaning. Editor: I see the piece completely differently now. Thanks for connecting it to something bigger than just the story.