Design for an Alter with Saint Michael and the Dragon
1715–74
Medium
Pen and black and touches of brown ink, brush and gray and touches of pink wash
Dimensions
18 7/8 x 13 7/16 in. (48 x 34.2 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Whittelsey Fund, 1967
Accession Number
67.536
Tags
Art Historical Context
Johann Baptist Modler's *Design for an Altar with Michael and the Dragon*ca. 1715–74) the dramatic fervor of Baroque religious art. This preparatory drawing depicts the archangel Saint Michael triumphantly battling the dragon, a timeless symbol of good conquering evil, often featured in church altars to inspire devotion. Surrounding figures, including men and playful Cupid-like putti, add dynamic energy, evoking the heavenly drama central to Catholic iconography during the early 18th century. in pen and black ink with subtle touches of brown, alongside brush-applied gray wash and hints of pi...