Aartsengelen bevechten draken 1502

Ieronimus Greff von Frankfurt made this artwork, 'Aartsengelen bevechten draken', or Archangels fighting dragons, in 1502. Here we see archangels, winged and armored, engaged in fierce combat with serpentine dragons. This imagery draws from the wellspring of religious and mythological symbolism. The dragon, a universal symbol of chaos and evil, appears as the antithesis of the divine order represented by the archangels. These figures, emblematic of spiritual power, are reminiscent of ancient heroes battling mythical beasts. Think of Perseus confronting the sea monster, or Saint George slaying the dragon. These motifs resonate deeply within the human psyche, speaking to our primal fears and our enduring quest for redemption. This is a cyclical progression: across time, the dragon has resurfaced, embodying new cultural anxieties, while the hero figure continues to offer hope.