St. George on Foot

One of the most famous narratives surrounding Saint George, an early Christian martyr, is the story of his having slain a dragon—good symbolically conquering evil. In this etching, Dürer shows the fallen dragon at Saint George's feet. The banner the saint holds, displaying a cross within a circle, is the emblem of the Order of Saint George. Emperor Maximilian I, one of Dürer’s great patrons, was deeply interested in this royal order, which was founded by his father, Frederick III.

Dürer includes remarkable details such as the tendrils of hair jutting out from the saint’s hairnet, as well as the crosshatching technique that he employs to suggest the texture of the suit of armor. After the victory, evidenced by the wound in the dragon’s neck, the saint has removed his helmet, ornamented with feathers.