Heilige Joris doodt de draak c. 1506 - 1538

Curator: Albrecht Altdorfer’s etching, dating roughly from 1506 to 1538, presents a scene of Saint George slaying the dragon. It’s incredibly detailed, a small print bursting with energy. Editor: It feels claustrophobic, doesn't it? That dark, tangled forest closing in around them, even though there's this heroic scene unfolding. It's less celebratory and more... suffocating. Curator: Absolutely. The dense lines create that sense of unease, and Altdorfer masterfully uses light and shadow to emphasize the struggle. The landscape almost seems to participate in the battle. And look how the artist rendered a sort of townscape on the back; those towers look more menancing than welcoming. Editor: The way the saint and dragon are entangled speaks to the politics of its time. We could explore how the dragon becomes a symbol for everything from disease to social and political opponents of the Holy Roman Empire. George becomes a righteous aggressor but he may still appear unsettling, violent, blinded by self-righteousness in such a reading. Curator: Hmmm…Interesting! It’s a curious perspective I had not considered. I get the more visceral impact; how courage transforms into madness through conflict. Saint George is frozen in determination in a fight for the ages and, ultimately, for glory. Altdorfer is a marvel: such intensity of feelings out of pen, ink and metal! Editor: Well, and perhaps that's where we see its resonance even today. It becomes a meditation on how power operates. The figure may still stand as an idol within militaristic ideologies or even become co-opted into contemporary narratives. Curator: I feel conflicted. It’s tempting to reimagine these etchings within the chaos of our times! But on the other hand…they also offer solace? As a tale for eternity. Editor: Yes! History is a hall of mirrors. By understanding how these symbols functioned in the past, we are equipped to navigate the dragons of our own time. Thank you, Altdorfer, for spurring the discussion!