Design for an Alter with Saint Michael and the Dragon 1715 - 1774

Here is the audio guide script: Johann Baptist Modler created this pen and brown ink drawing, "Design for an Alter with Saint Michael and the Dragon," in the 18th century. The drawing presents an intricate interplay of lines and forms, creating a visually rich, albeit monochromatic, experience. The composition is structured around an altar design, exhibiting an elaborate framework of architectural and decorative elements. Spiraling columns and ornate embellishments define the structure, with the figures of Saint Michael and the dragon positioned centrally, rendered with delicate precision. The use of line emphasizes a sense of depth and intricacy, drawing the eye into the complex details of the proposed construction. Modler’s design engages with a complex semiotic system, where architectural elements and religious figures serve as signs, communicating power and divine authority. The altar, a symbolic site of ritual and transformation, is here reimagined as a stage for the eternal conflict between good and evil. The drawing functions as a discourse on the interplay between earthly architecture and spiritual narrative, inviting ongoing interpretation.