Saint George and the Dragon 

Hugo van der Goes made this pen and brown ink drawing of Saint George and the Dragon around 1475, at a time when the Burgundian Netherlands was one of Europe’s most culturally dynamic regions. This drawing is a fascinating example of how artists navigated the social and institutional contexts of their time. Van der Goes depicts Saint George, a popular figure in the chivalric culture of the Burgundian court, rescuing a princess from a dragon. But this isn't just a simple illustration of a heroic tale. Look at the fine details of the knight's armor and the delicate features of the princess. These elements reflect the sophisticated tastes of the Burgundian elite, who valued both martial prowess and refined elegance. As art historians, we look to surviving account books and guild records to get a sense of the economic structures in which artists worked. We look at literary sources and popular culture to understand the narratives that shaped their imaginations. Only then can we understand the complex interplay between artistic expression and social context that makes this drawing so compelling.