The Dragon and the Bee 1514 - 1536

Agostino Veneziano made this engraving called The Dragon and the Bee sometime between 1510 and 1536. It presents a curious scene that may allude to contemporary social tensions. The print depicts a fantastical creature, part-lion and part-dragon, in an aggressive posture, with a small bee hovering near its head. The dragon’s symbolic meaning would have been immediately understood in the 16th century when it was associated with sin and temptation. Bees in this period often stood for civic harmony. Considering these symbols together, we might understand this engraving as a comment on the need for the public to resist the temptation of sin. A small tablet lies discarded on the ground, which may reference the biblical Ten Commandments. To gain a better understanding of the print, we can research the period, paying particular attention to popular symbols and cultural values. Through this research we can begin to see how art participates in larger social and cultural conversations.