Photo Essay: Dragons, art, and lore


A reptile specialist visited the Dragons: Art, and Lore, from Asia to the Western World course so “students could connect the dots from what they’re drawing and seeing to what ancient cultures saw,” says Professor Melizza Santram-Chernov.

student with snake around neck

Student uses iPad to sketch turtle on table

Winged monsters, slithery serpents, and scaled critters have been depicted in stories and art for ages. From folklore to digital design, the cultural representations of these creatures has evolved.

In Dragons: Art and Lore, from Asia to the Western World, Melizza Santram-Chernov, a professor in the Becker School of Design & Technology and Visual and Performing Arts Department, instructs students to analyze the historical transformation of fictional dragons from ancient illustrations to modern works like J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “Game of Thrones,” the HBO drama series based on the “A Song of Ice and Fire” novel series by George R. R. Martin.

“All these different ancient cultures have eerily similar depictions of these winged beasts, and we think that’s because they didn’t know how to explain what they were seeing,” Santram-Chernov says.

A reptile sits on table next to broken egg

a turtle crawls near purple crock brand sandal

small alligator

Reptile specialist Matt Gabriel visited class on Dec. 1 with a few animals in tow to provide inspiration. Students put their studies to work, sketching the reptiles on paper and digital notebooks.

“The class provides an interesting gateway into learning about ancient cultures. I really enjoy fantasy settings with dragons, so learning about their historical mythos — and indulging in a passion of mine — was really special.”

— Dillon Palmer ’25

A student sketches a reptile

a student holds a small alligator

The course emphasizes common elements found in both illustration and writing based on these creatures — mythical or real.

“I think bringing in the reference material for students to illustrate is important when students try to connect the dots from what they’re drawing to what ancient cultures saw.”

— Professor Melizza Santram-Chernov

red backpack and sketch on notebook

reptile eats egg

students sketch reptile sitting on table

Photos: Steven King, director of photography / university photographer

Text: Ed Greig ’23, MFA ’24

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