Illustration til Don Quixote 1776 - 1777

Editor: This is Georg Haas's "Illustration til Don Quixote," from around 1776-1777, it's an engraving. The scene seems crowded and kind of absurd, like something chaotic is unfolding, everyone is hovering over the person lying down, is this a sickbed scene, or some kind of mock ceremony? How do you interpret this work? Curator: It’s fascinating how Haas uses this image to tap into our shared understanding of this story, which I think helps create an absurd world on its own! Engravings like these served as visual shorthand for popular narratives. Editor: So, it's about communicating a shared story through symbols and instantly-recognizable characters? Curator: Exactly! Note the distinct figures surrounding the bed; each embodies specific traits, desires, or follies readily identifiable to the viewer familiar with Cervantes' work. The whole story—of heroism, and delusion—collapses into one, resonant scene. Even the line etched under the artwork tells a story. Do you see the different reactions amongst the different faces? What does it mean to you? Editor: I notice that some people look concerned or curious, while others look like they are making fun, I suppose that is the absurd humor you are referring to! Curator: That’s precisely what Haas intended, there is a deep level of cultural memory embedded in illustrations such as this. Editor: So, an 18th-century audience would have instantly recognized and understood the layers of meaning within this single illustration. Curator: Yes. And we, as contemporary viewers, can still tap into that cultural reservoir, even if we need a little prompting along the way! Editor: It’s like the image becomes a portal to another time, reminding us that stories and symbols connect us across centuries. I think I get it. Curator: Precisely!