Don Quixote 

Editor: Here we have Gustave Dore's "Don Quixote," seemingly an engraving or drawing depicting a dramatic scene. It’s stark and emotionally charged with what seems like an argument or a plea. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Looking at it through a historical lens, the visual drama Doré employs served a very specific purpose. Consider the rise of illustrated books in the 19th century. Doré wasn't just illustrating a story, he was shaping public perception of Cervantes's novel and solidifying its place in the cultural canon. Editor: Shaping it, how so? Curator: Note the theatricality. It's reminiscent of history painting which enjoyed prominence throughout the 18th century and which shaped public consciousness of significant political, moral, or cultural events, and often served ideological purposes. This illustration would invite viewers, even those who couldn't read, to connect emotionally with the narrative. It would invite the popular reader of novels to find a different truth from its story than the literati who had access to a high variety of books or different versions. Editor: I see what you mean! It's almost as if the illustration is trying to sell you a specific interpretation of the story, especially related to the emotions experienced. Curator: Exactly! And think about the institutions exhibiting these works. Were they promoting particular societal values through the selection and presentation of these kinds of dramatic, historical narratives? What power does Doré wield by distilling that kind of meaning and feeling from it? It makes you wonder about art’s place in popular culture then, and now. Editor: That’s given me a lot to think about regarding how illustrations influence public perception, even beyond the written word. Thanks! Curator: It's all about understanding the socio-political contexts in which art is created and consumed. Thank you!