Heilige Margareta van Antiochië 1589

Philippe Thomassin's engraving presents Saint Margaret of Antioch, her triumph over the monstrous dragon a testament to faith's power, made around 1589. Here, the saint, armed with a simple cross-staff, stands defiant, symbolizing purity overcoming primal chaos. The dragon, a motif echoing the Leviathan of biblical lore, embodies darkness and temptation, a visual metaphor that appears across cultures, from ancient Mesopotamian demons to medieval morality plays. Observe how the dragon, a symbol of evil, is not merely defeated, but literally underfoot, a powerful gesture found in depictions of numerous saints and heroes. The gesture, though, is not static. The dragon's symbolism evolves, reflecting societal anxieties and moral struggles, shifting from a literal beast to an allegorical representation of inner turmoil. This image taps into our collective subconscious, stirring deep-seated fears and hopes, presenting the saint as a beacon of hope, her victory a promise of redemption, resonating across time.