The Dragon and the Beast 1546 - 1556

Jean Duvet, working in France in the 16th century, created "The Dragon and the Beast" as an engraving. Duvet lived in a world of religious upheaval during the Reformation, which deeply influenced his art. Duvet creates an image which reflects the anxieties of his time. The intricate details and allegorical figures are steeped in the imagery of the Apocalypse. One can almost feel the weight of the artist's spiritual intensity and his vision of a world caught in a battle between good and evil. Duvet does not shy away from the grotesque or the terrifying, rather, he uses it to convey the urgency of his message. The artist's personal mysticism and interest in alchemy further add layers to the artwork, inviting a deeper interpretation of its symbols. It stands as a powerful statement of faith but it also reveals the artist’s own internal struggles with the changing religious landscape of his time.