Man steekt een draak neer 1802 - 1809

Daniël Veelwaard created this line drawing titled 'Man Steekt een Draak Neer', or 'Man Kills a Dragon' sometime in the late 18th century. The image presents a man slaying a dragon. This motif is deeply rooted in cultural history. Think of Saint George, an early Christian martyr, whose legend involves him slaying a dragon to save a princess. This symbol, of good triumphing over evil, recurs across cultures. Now, consider how this symbol has evolved. In ancient Greece, dragons often guarded sacred places or treasures, embodying a primal fear. Over time, the dragon became a symbol of chaos, and the act of slaying it a demonstration of virtue and order. The slaying of a dragon can be viewed as a symbolic representation of overcoming personal fears or societal challenges. The emotional power of this image, passed down through history, engages us on a deep, subconscious level. Like the ouroboros, devouring its tail, the dragon cycles through different cultural and symbolic contexts, continually reappearing.