St. Michael Fighting the Dragon-Albrecht Durer
Encyclopedia
Saint Michael Fighting the Dragon is a woodcut
of 1498 by Apocalypse (Dürer)
, part of the Apocalypse
series that brought the young artist international fame.
In addition to sales of the series, many impressions (copies) of the woodcut were sold individually. The series contains fifteen woodcuts, each one depicting a different scene from the Book of Apocalypse or Revelation of St. John. The Revelation tells the story of the end of the world, and consequently many of the woodcuts contain dark scenes. The series first appeared in an illustrated version of the Book of the Revelation of St. John, and the series is sometimes referred to as the Revelation of St. John Series. This series brought Durer his first experience with fame and also contains the famous The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. Other works in the series include the Angel Shows St. John the Heavenly Jerusalem and The Vision of God the Father among the Candle-Holders. Following the release of these woodcuts, Durer quickly gained popularity throughout Europe. In 1511 Durer released another edition of the series, and this time included many new pieces, such as the frontispiece St. John Inspired by the Virgin Mary. Since its release, the Apocalypse series, including St. Michael Fighting the Dragon, has been reproduced numerous times and is part of the Western Canon. This engraving currently is located in the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe
.
, the father of humanism
, humanist ideals began to spread throughout Europe. Early humanists stressed the importance of studying the classics, Greek and Roman works, and learning the liberal arts. During the 15th century, Renaissance humanists, applied humanism to their civic lives and stated that people should use their knowledge in the service of the state. They also believed that individuals had a great potential to succeed and could use that potential to improve society. In northern Europe, Christian Humanists combined humanist ideals with Christianity by emphasizing both education and scriptural knowledge. Artistically, humanists encouraged the study of the human form to accurately portray the beauty of the human body. One of the leading Christian Humanists was Desiderius Erasmus
, who became a friend of Albrecht Durer when Durer visited the Netherlands in 1520 and 1521. Well before that visit, Durer traveled to Italy in the autumn of 1494 and talked with many Italian humanists. He also visited the workshops of numerous Italian humanist artists, including Andrea Mantegna
and Giovanni Bellini
. Due to this exposure to humanism and Italian art, Durer became fascinated with how to best capture the proportions of the human body and consequently spent much time studying the human body and anatomical proportions. This interest can not only be seen in many of his paintings, but also in a number of his engravings, including St. Michael Fighting the Dragon.
as an intellectual center and as a leader in engravings. One of the main reasons behind Nuremberg's prominence was the release of the Nuremberg Chronicle
in 1493. This book contained around 650 original illustrations from Michael Wolgemut
, one of the leading engravers of the late-Gothic era, and his workshop. The Nuremberg Chronicle not only demonstrated the capabilities of the new printing press, but also paved the way for the work of Albrecht Durer in the coming years.
Albrecht Durer was an apprentice under Wolgemut and learned the art of engraving from one of the most well known engravers of the time. Technically, the development of better printing presses in Nuremberg allowed for Durer to include much more detail in his work, from depicting St. Michael’s hair with little curls to capturing the sails of two boats off in the distance. It also allowed for his work to be more easily distributed.
leads the other angels in the fight against evil, represented in this picture by the seven headed dragon. Each of the dragon’s head represents one of the seven deadly sins. Durer chose to capture this fight between good and evil at the moment when Saint Michael is thrusting his spear into one of the heads. Surrounding Saint Michael are three other angels ready to attack. Beneath the fighting lies a calm and serene landscape with mountains and a small town, highlighted by a church with a tall spire, in the distance. At the bottom in the center of the page Durer has placed his distinctive “AD” monogram that is in all of his engravings.
to be one of the most important art forms, possibly even equal to the art of painting. His technical skill is demonstrated in St. Michael Fighting the Dragon. The influence of Durer's training under Wolgemut on the quality of Durer's works can be seen in the vast amount of detail in the print. Durer includes details ranging from the small trees surrounding the town to details of St. Michael’s face. Durer uses atmospheric perspective
to create the illusion of space by depicting the mountains with less detail the farther away they are supposed to be. He creates different light and dark tones through his use of lines. In respect to the poses of the figures, especially Archangel Michael, Durer broke with the traditional pose for a hero fighting against evil that was more elegant and instead put St. Michael in a pose that captures the magnitude of the task at hand. St. Michael’s eyebrows are furrowed with concentration and his hands are on the sword, about to fiercely attack the dragon. All original woodcuts in the series were made on pear wood.
Woodcut
Woodcut—occasionally known as xylography—is a relief printing artistic technique in printmaking in which an image is carved into the surface of a block of wood, with the printing parts remaining level with the surface while the non-printing parts are removed, typically with gouges...
of 1498 by Apocalypse (Dürer)
Apocalypse (Dürer)
The Apocalypse, properly Apocalypse with Pictures is a famous series of fifteen woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer of scenes from the Book of Revelation, published in 1498, which rapidly brought him fame across Europe...
, part of the Apocalypse
Apocalypse (Dürer)
The Apocalypse, properly Apocalypse with Pictures is a famous series of fifteen woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer of scenes from the Book of Revelation, published in 1498, which rapidly brought him fame across Europe...
series that brought the young artist international fame.
In addition to sales of the series, many impressions (copies) of the woodcut were sold individually. The series contains fifteen woodcuts, each one depicting a different scene from the Book of Apocalypse or Revelation of St. John. The Revelation tells the story of the end of the world, and consequently many of the woodcuts contain dark scenes. The series first appeared in an illustrated version of the Book of the Revelation of St. John, and the series is sometimes referred to as the Revelation of St. John Series. This series brought Durer his first experience with fame and also contains the famous The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. Other works in the series include the Angel Shows St. John the Heavenly Jerusalem and The Vision of God the Father among the Candle-Holders. Following the release of these woodcuts, Durer quickly gained popularity throughout Europe. In 1511 Durer released another edition of the series, and this time included many new pieces, such as the frontispiece St. John Inspired by the Virgin Mary. Since its release, the Apocalypse series, including St. Michael Fighting the Dragon, has been reproduced numerous times and is part of the Western Canon. This engraving currently is located in the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe
Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe
The Staatliche Kunsthalle is an art museum in Karlsruhe, Germany.The museum, created by architect Heinrich Hübsch, opened in 1846 after nine years of work in a neoclassical building next to the Karlsruhe Castle and the Karlsruhe Botanical Garden...
.
Humanism
Beginning in the 14th century with the work of PetrarchPetrarch
Francesco Petrarca , known in English as Petrarch, was an Italian scholar, poet and one of the earliest humanists. Petrarch is often called the "Father of Humanism"...
, the father of humanism
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
, humanist ideals began to spread throughout Europe. Early humanists stressed the importance of studying the classics, Greek and Roman works, and learning the liberal arts. During the 15th century, Renaissance humanists, applied humanism to their civic lives and stated that people should use their knowledge in the service of the state. They also believed that individuals had a great potential to succeed and could use that potential to improve society. In northern Europe, Christian Humanists combined humanist ideals with Christianity by emphasizing both education and scriptural knowledge. Artistically, humanists encouraged the study of the human form to accurately portray the beauty of the human body. One of the leading Christian Humanists was Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus , known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and a theologian....
, who became a friend of Albrecht Durer when Durer visited the Netherlands in 1520 and 1521. Well before that visit, Durer traveled to Italy in the autumn of 1494 and talked with many Italian humanists. He also visited the workshops of numerous Italian humanist artists, including Andrea Mantegna
Andrea Mantegna
Andrea Mantegna was an Italian painter, a student of Roman archeology, and son in law of Jacopo Bellini. Like other artists of the time, Mantegna experimented with perspective, e.g., by lowering the horizon in order to create a sense of greater monumentality...
and Giovanni Bellini
Giovanni Bellini
Giovanni Bellini was an Italian Renaissance painter, probably the best known of the Bellini family of Venetian painters. His father was Jacopo Bellini, his brother was Gentile Bellini, and his brother-in-law was Andrea Mantegna. He is considered to have revolutionized Venetian painting, moving it...
. Due to this exposure to humanism and Italian art, Durer became fascinated with how to best capture the proportions of the human body and consequently spent much time studying the human body and anatomical proportions. This interest can not only be seen in many of his paintings, but also in a number of his engravings, including St. Michael Fighting the Dragon.
Rise of Nuremberg
Another major influence on Durer’s works was the rise of NurembergNuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
as an intellectual center and as a leader in engravings. One of the main reasons behind Nuremberg's prominence was the release of the Nuremberg Chronicle
Nuremberg Chronicle
right|thumbnail|240px|Fifth dayThe Nuremberg Chronicle is an illustrated Biblical paraphrase and world history that follows the story of human history related in the Bible; it includes the histories of a number of important Western cities. Written in Latin by Hartmann Schedel, with a version in...
in 1493. This book contained around 650 original illustrations from Michael Wolgemut
Michael Wolgemut
Michael Wolgemut was a German painter and printmaker, born in Nuremberg.-Biography:Little is known of Wolgemut's private life...
, one of the leading engravers of the late-Gothic era, and his workshop. The Nuremberg Chronicle not only demonstrated the capabilities of the new printing press, but also paved the way for the work of Albrecht Durer in the coming years.
Subject
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven" (Rev. 12:7). As recounted by the Revelation of Saint John, at the end of the world war will break at between Heaven and Hell, between good and evil. As the commander of the Army of God, Archangel MichaelMichael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
leads the other angels in the fight against evil, represented in this picture by the seven headed dragon. Each of the dragon’s head represents one of the seven deadly sins. Durer chose to capture this fight between good and evil at the moment when Saint Michael is thrusting his spear into one of the heads. Surrounding Saint Michael are three other angels ready to attack. Beneath the fighting lies a calm and serene landscape with mountains and a small town, highlighted by a church with a tall spire, in the distance. At the bottom in the center of the page Durer has placed his distinctive “AD” monogram that is in all of his engravings.
Characteristics
Albrecht Durer considered printmakingPrintmaking
Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...
to be one of the most important art forms, possibly even equal to the art of painting. His technical skill is demonstrated in St. Michael Fighting the Dragon. The influence of Durer's training under Wolgemut on the quality of Durer's works can be seen in the vast amount of detail in the print. Durer includes details ranging from the small trees surrounding the town to details of St. Michael’s face. Durer uses atmospheric perspective
Aerial perspective
Aerial perspective or atmospheric perspective refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as it is viewed from a distance. As the distance between an object and a viewer increases, the contrast between the object and its background decreases, and the contrast of any...
to create the illusion of space by depicting the mountains with less detail the farther away they are supposed to be. He creates different light and dark tones through his use of lines. In respect to the poses of the figures, especially Archangel Michael, Durer broke with the traditional pose for a hero fighting against evil that was more elegant and instead put St. Michael in a pose that captures the magnitude of the task at hand. St. Michael’s eyebrows are furrowed with concentration and his hands are on the sword, about to fiercely attack the dragon. All original woodcuts in the series were made on pear wood.