In 1297, the Guild of St. Luke was established in various European cities, including Bruges and Ghent, to support artists and promote the visual arts. This guild provided a framework for artists to collaborate, share techniques, and gain recognition for their work. The establishment of such guilds fostered a vibrant artistic community that would influence literature and poetry through the intermingling of visual and literary arts.

The Guild of St. Luke played a crucial role in the development of artistic expression, which in turn inspired poets to explore visual imagery in their works. The collaboration between artists and poets led to a rich cultural exchange, influencing movements such as the Renaissance and the emergence of ekphrastic poetry, where visual art is described in verse. This connection between the arts enriched the literary landscape.