Drachenkampf des heiligen Georg - Dragon Fight of Saint George

Article description

Original antique woodcut. This is Albrecht Altdorfer's first large woodcut dated 1511. It shows the dragon fight of St. Georg in front of a steep mountain backdrop. The princess has taken refuge behind a bush, where she prays for a happy outcome to the fight. The horse and rider are clearly highlighted, the dragon - large and hideous - writhes on the bare earth, already mortally wounded by the knight's lance. The burnt earth around him and the bones he left behind from his victims testify to his danger. The castle and town in the background indicate the places threatened by the monster; The rescue operation is not least for their protection. The traditionally designed woodcut shows the knight as the savior of the virgin and liberator of the country, which had to satisfy the monster's appetite with ever new sacrifices. Very good, dark impression of this rare woodcut with the broken edge at the top right and the additional 10 mm gap at the highest point of the cloud, as asked by Winzinger for the third state. Woodcut border line partially slightly trimmed, therefore the woodcut was skillfull remargined with old paper by the prior owner. Overall this rare woodcut is in good to very good condition. There are according to Winzinger only 15 impressions in private collections. The paper bears chainlines (distance ca. 23 mm) and a difficult identifiable watermark in the centre (probable a small shield). Lower right border and the border next to the tree on the left side slightly trimmed.

Winzinger Altdorfer Grafik 14 c, p. 55