Waanzin van Hugo van der Goes Possibly 1878

Auguste Danse created this print entitled 'Waanzin van Hugo van der Goes' using etching and engraving techniques. It depicts the late 15th-century Flemish painter Hugo van der Goes during his mental breakdown at a monastery. The image presents a Romantic vision of the artist as a tortured genius, a concept popularized in 19th-century Europe. Made in Belgium, it reflects the rise of historical genre painting and the growing interest in the lives of artists. Danse’s print draws upon art historical narratives and academic artistic traditions. The image also illustrates the 19th-century art world's fascination with psychology and mental illness. We can see the artist in a state of distress surrounded by monks and musicians attempting to soothe him. By examining historical sources, such as Giorgio Vasari's 'Lives of the Artists', we can better understand the stories and myths that shaped the cultural perception of artists. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.