Saint Michael and the Dragon, from the Apocalypse 1480 - 1570

Jean Duvet created this engraving of Saint Michael and the Dragon, from the Apocalypse, sometime in the 16th century. As the Protestant reformation swept through Europe, artists like Duvet were caught in a moment of intense religious and social upheaval. Here we see a dense, almost overwhelming scene of divine conflict. Saint Michael, clad in armor, leads a host of angels against a grotesque dragon, representing the forces of evil. Gender dynamics are at play too; while Saint Michael embodies masculine strength, the surrounding angels have more androgynous features, blurring traditional gender roles within the divine realm. Duvet's detailed engraving invites us to reflect on the ongoing struggle between good and evil, not just in the world, but within ourselves. The emotional intensity of the scene, with its swirling chaos and dramatic figures, reminds us of the personal stakes involved in questions of faith and morality.