Dragon of St. George sculpture in Barcelona (Spain)

Description

Location: Barcelona, Spain
Taken on: September 10, 2023
Format: JPEG
File size: 3.7 MB
Dimensions: 3112 x 2464 pixels
DPI: 300
Photographer: Andrey Kashukov, Cyprus

Photo can be used in posters, brochures, magazines, websites, blogs, business cards, applications, social media branding, packaging, postcards, notebooks, invitation backgrounds, flyers, banners, badges, stickers, collages, booklets, illustrations, etc.

Photo can be used in applications: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, Adobe Express, Adobe After Effects, GIMP, Photopea, Krita, Pixlr E, Pixlr X, Paint.NET, Affinity Photo, Corel PaintShop Pro, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, Capture One Pro, Luminar Neo, Pixelmator Pro, ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate, Affinity Designer, Procreate, Sketch, etc.

The Iron Dragon of Barcelona: St. George Sculpture Photo

Step into a world where myth and industrial design collide with this striking photograph of the “Drac de Sant Jordi” (Dragon of St. George). Captured on a bright, clear morning on September 10, 2023, in Barcelona’s unique Parc de l’Espanya Industrial, this image showcases the monumental scale and intricate design of this famous metal sculpture.

The photograph captures the dragon’s immense, jagged silhouette against a flawless, deep blue sky. The morning sun casts dramatic shadows across its dark, metallic plates, highlighting the powerful, abstract form that doubles as an architectural feature and a children’s slide. To the left, the park’s iconic lighthouse-like tower stands as a whimsical counterpoint, while the lush green leaves of an overhanging tree frame the top of the scene, adding a touch of nature to the industrial landscape.

This image is a celebration of Barcelona’s bold artistic spirit, blending legendary tales with modern urban renewal. The composition offers a dynamic perspective, inviting the viewer to appreciate the raw power and creative energy of this incredible piece of public art.

Photo Features

• Subject: The iconic “Dragon of St. George” sculpture in Barcelona.
• Atmosphere: Bright, dramatic, and powerful.
• Color Palette: Dominated by the deep grey of the sculpture and the vivid, clear blue of the sky.
• Composition: A dynamic, wide-angle view emphasizing the scale of the sculpture and its relationship with the surrounding park elements.
• Details: Sharp focus on the metallic texture, the play of light and shadow, and the unique architectural forms.

Ideal for Use In

This high-quality digital photo is perfect for a wide range of creative and commercial projects:

• Websites & Blogs: An ideal hero image or feature photo for articles about Barcelona, travel to Spain, modern art, public sculptures, or landscape architecture.
• Marketing & Advertising: Create compelling promotional materials for travel agencies, cultural tours, or city guides.
• Social Media: A stunning and engaging visual for Instagram feeds, Pinterest boards, or Facebook posts that will capture your audience’s attention.
• Editorial Content: A perfect illustration for magazines, online journals, and publications discussing art, culture, and urban design.
• Presentations & Digital Projects: Use as a powerful background for slides, digital wallpapers, or as an element in creative design projects.

The Dragon of St. George, officially named “El Drac,” is a monumental and iconic sculpture located in the Parc de l’Espanya Industrial in the Sants district of Barcelona. Created by Basque sculptor Andrés Nagel, this colossal structure was inaugurated on St. George’s Day in 1987 and has since become a beloved, if imposing, landmark.

Forged from 150 tons of painted cast iron and steel, the sculpture is a powerful, abstract representation of a dragon. Its immense, dark, and angular form rises dramatically, stretching 38 meters in length with a height of 12 meters. Rather than a literal depiction, Nagel created a dynamic and fragmented figure that seems to emerge from the earth and the adjacent artificial lake. Its body is composed of massive, geometric plates bolted together, giving it a distinctly industrial and postmodern aesthetic that pays homage to the site’s history as a former textile mill, “L’Espanya Industrial.”

One of the most remarkable features of the sculpture is its dual functionality. “El Drac” is not merely an object to be observed but an interactive public artwork. Integrated into its massive frame are several slides, with the long, curving tail forming the largest and most popular one. This playful element transforms the formidable beast into a giant piece of playground equipment, constantly animated by children and adults alike who can climb into its body and slide down its back. This interaction softens its intimidating presence and embeds it into the daily life of the community.

The sculpture is strategically positioned to guard the park’s central plaza and lake, creating a dramatic focal point against the backdrop of the park’s other unique features, such as the nine “lighthouse” towers designed by architect Luis Peña Ganchegui. “El Drac” embodies the spirit of Barcelona’s 1980s urban renewal, which sought to reclaim industrial spaces for public use by blending bold art, architecture, and recreational space.