Don Quixote 

Gustave Dore created this engraving of Don Quixote, illustrating a scene from Miguel de Cervantes' novel. Dore’s image presents Sancho Panza as a judge, surrounded by litigants and onlookers in a grand hall, challenging traditional social hierarchies. The illustration can be seen as a commentary on the French social structures of Dore's time, reflecting the values and norms of the bourgeoisie. Dore's style, characterized by dramatic lighting and intricate detail, serves to elevate the scene, giving it a sense of importance and grandeur. The architecture in the image seems to be inspired by French Gothic and Medieval times. To understand Dore's illustration fully, we need to consider the social and political context in which it was made. By exploring archives and literary criticism, we can gain insight into how Dore's art engaged with the social issues of his time.