St. George and the Dragon - Stockholm, Sweden
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neoc1
N 59° 19.509 E 018° 04.423
34V E 333500 N 6579916
Saint George and the Dragon sculpture is located in Köpmanbrinken, Merchant Square, in Gamla Stan, the oldest area of Stockholm.
Waymark Code: WMM6Q9
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Date Posted: 07/31/2014
Views: 26
A bronze sculpture depicts St. George mounted on horseback while slaying a dragon in order to save a princess. This is believed to be allegory for the victory at the Battle at Brunkeberg, which occurred on October 10, 1471, when Sweden was attacked by and defeated the Danes. The slaying of the dragon has since become a symbol of Sweden.
The original wood carving of this sculpture was created in 1489 by German artist, living in Stockholm, Bernt Notke. It resides in the Storkyrkan (Great Church) in Stockholm. The bronze copy was created in 1912 by Otto Meyer from a cast of the original. The princess was added nearby one year later in 1913.
This incredibly detailed sculpture depicts St. George and his horse in full armor. St. George is wearing a helmet and has his sword raised in his right hand as if ready to strike. Dragon is lying on its back underneath the front legs of the horse. The head of the dragon is close to the head of the horse. The plinth contain various relief sculptures related to the martyrdom of St. George, including a skull. The sculpture rests high up on a pedestal of eight courses of marble blocks.
A metal plate on the pedestal of the statue is inscribed:
SANKT GORAN OCH DRAKEN
REST 1912 -1913
BRONSKOPIA AV BERNT NOTKES
TRÄSKULPTUR | STORKYRKAN FRÅN 1489
GÅVA AV KONSUL HJALMAR WICANDER
--------Translation---------------
SAINT GEORGE AND THE DRAGON
ERECTED 1912-1913
BRONZE COPY OF BERNT NOTKE'S
WOODEN SCULPTURE | THE GREAT CHURCH FROM 1489
GIFT OF CONSUL HJALMAR WICANDER
Identity of Rider: St. George
Identity of Horse: unnamed
Name of artist: Bronze sculpture, Otto Meyer; Original wood carving Bernt Notke
Date of Dedication: 1912
Material: Bronze
Unusual Features: Incredibly detailed copy of a medieval wood carving; Statue of the princess be saved is nearby.
Position: Two Hooves Raised
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