Saint Michael Fighting the Dragon 17th-18th century

Editor: Here we have an etching, "Saint Michael Fighting the Dragon," by an anonymous artist. It's quite small, only about 8 inches tall. It strikes me as very dramatic, with strong diagonals. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a potent visual metaphor for the triumph over oppression. The dragon, often interpreted as evil, can also be seen as any force that silences or marginalizes. Consider the power dynamics at play here – who holds the sword, and who is underfoot? How does this reflect broader social hierarchies? Editor: So, you're saying that this image is not just about good versus evil, but also about power and social structures? Curator: Precisely. And consider the visual language – the angel's youthful, almost feminized features, juxtaposed with the dragon's grotesque form. How do these choices reinforce societal expectations and biases about gender and power? What did you learn? Editor: I see the image is more about the narrative of power than a depiction of a biblical story.