Saint George and the Dragon in Storkyrkan, Medieval wooden sculpture in Storkyrkan Cathedral, Stockholm, Sweden
Saint George and the Dragon is a wooden sculpture inside Storkyrkan Cathedral that depicts a saint mounted on horseback confronting a dragon while a princess stands nearby. The work measures about 5 meters (16 feet) in height and displays an intricate arrangement of figures engaged in action within a single carved composition.
German artist Bernt Notke carved this work in 1489 at a time when religious sculpture was flourishing across Northern European cathedrals. The creation coincided with a period of growth and importance for Stockholm as a trading city.
The sculpture embodies a Christian narrative about the struggle between good and evil that held deep meaning for medieval society. Visitors can observe how this story was considered important enough to be displayed prominently in the cathedral's interior.
Visitors can see the sculpture inside Storkyrkan Cathedral located in Stockholm's Old Town. The work is on permanent display within the church and can be viewed during the building's regular opening hours.
The wooden structure was intentionally carved hollow to prevent cracking and preserve the work through centuries. This technique reveals the advanced knowledge medieval craftspeople had about how wood behaves and lasts over time.
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