Revelation of St. John: St. Michael Fighting the Dragon

The composition is dominated by a central, tall angel, identified as St. Michael, who stands upon a multi-headed dragon and pierces it with a long spear. To his left and right, other angels participate in the fray: one brandishes a sword and shield, while another draws a bow against grotesque, horned demons with bat-like wings that tumble through the chaotic clouds. The lower third of the print features a detailed, peaceful landscape containing a walled town, a body of water with small boats, and rolling hills, which contrasts sharply with the violent celestial conflict above. Dürer uses dense, varied hatching to create textures of feathers, scales, flowing drapery, and atmospheric depth.

This woodcut depicts the apocalyptic war in heaven described in the Book of Revelation (12:7-9), reflecting the intense preoccupation with end-times theology and spiritual warfare characteristic of early 16th-century Christian thought.