Paolo Uccello, St George and the Dragon, The National Gallery

Dragons, Knights and Imagined Worlds: How Medieval Art Shaped Modern Fantasy

This event has been cancelled.

Why are dragons, heroes, and magical kingdoms so central to modern fantasy? Discover how medieval artists created the visual and imaginative traditions that continue to shape fantasy worlds today. 

From The Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones and beyond, medieval art and visual culture have inspired some of fantasy’s most enduring works. Embark on an epic journey through the dragons, heroes, monsters and imagined worlds of the Middle Ages, and discover how they continue to shape fantasy literature, film and popular culture today.

Join Bryan C. Keene for a fascinating exploration of the art, myths and symbols that have fuelled fantasy for centuries.

Speaker

Bryan C. Keene is Associate Professor of Art History and Theatre at Riverside City College, and co-author of The Fantasy of the Middle Ages: An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds (J. Paul Getty Museum, 2022), which accompanied the acclaimed Getty exhibition of the same name. Their work explores the rich intersections between medieval art, myth and imagination, revealing how the Middle Ages continue to inspire contemporary culture and fantasy today.