Illustration to Cervantes, "Don Quixote" 1940

Editor: Here we have Imre Reiner's 1940 ink drawing, "Illustration to Cervantes, 'Don Quixote'". The stark contrasts in this landscape feel incredibly dynamic and capture a real sense of motion. How would you interpret the way this piece engages with the Don Quixote story and its cultural impact? Curator: Well, consider the timing: 1940. Europe was consumed by war. The themes of escapism and delusion prominent in *Don Quixote* likely resonated profoundly. Reiner, creating this during such turmoil, perhaps saw Quixote's tilting at windmills as a metaphor for humanity's often misguided, yet persistent, battles against overwhelming forces. What do you notice about the depiction of the windmills themselves? Editor: They are rendered quite abstractly. Less like realistic structures, more like imposing, almost monstrous forms looming on the horizon. Curator: Exactly. This abstraction pulls them away from simple objects and closer to symbols. It amplifies the socio-political element, suggesting the powerful, perhaps irrational forces at play in society at the time. Think about the public role of art during wartime; this illustration does more than just depict a scene; it offers a lens through which to examine the anxieties and struggles of its historical moment. Editor: So, by transforming those iconic windmills into such dominant shapes, he's actually saying something about power, perception, and maybe even resistance. I hadn't considered it in that context initially. Curator: Precisely! It’s about the politics of imagery and how even seemingly simple illustrations can carry profound social commentary when understood within their historical framework. Are there elements in Don Quixote’s figure itself which signal such interpretations? Editor: It strikes me that, in a way, his romantic view might be presented as being brave, or delusional. A little from both perspectives. Curator: I completely agree. Thinking about this art through that lens gives us insights, too, right? Editor: It certainly does. Thanks. I’ll look into other such art, too!