Raphael's Saint George c. 19th century

Editor: This is Ferdinand Gaillard's print, "Raphael's Saint George," housed right here at Harvard. It’s so detailed! The knight's stance and the dragon’s contorted body--what symbols or cultural memories resonate for you in this image? Curator: Well, St. George slaying the dragon is a powerful symbol of good overcoming evil, deeply rooted in Christian iconography. The dragon itself represents chaos and paganism. Notice how George isn’t just defeating a monster, he’s restoring order. Editor: Order, yes, I see that now! So it's not just a literal battle. Curator: Exactly. It's a visual representation of spiritual triumph, echoing across centuries. What feelings does that evoke for you? Editor: Thinking about it that way, I see more than just a knight; I see hope and resilience. Curator: Precisely! Symbols evolve, but their core meaning often persists, connecting us to shared cultural narratives.