Heilige Joris en de draak 1506

This small woodcut of Saint George and the Dragon was likely made in the 16th century, a time when the printing press was still a relatively new technology. We see Saint George, a heroic figure slaying a dragon, but consider the setting, framing, and the inscriptions above and below the image. These weren't just decorations. They were integral to the print’s meaning. Who was this image for? The Latin text suggests a learned audience. The coats of arms and heraldic symbols point to a specific social class, perhaps the British aristocracy or those connected to the Church. The image itself embodies the cultural values of the time. It's conservative in its religious subject matter, reinforcing established social hierarchies. However, the existence and wide circulation of printed images was potentially disruptive to the established social order. Historians can delve into the context of this print by examining the archives of printing houses, church records, and family histories of the elite, all of which will allow us to understand its place in the visual culture of the era.