The Adventure with the Windmills 1868

Curator: Today we're looking at "The Adventure with the Windmills" by Gustave Doré, an ink drawing completed in 1868. It illustrates a scene from Cervantes’ Don Quixote. Editor: The overwhelming first impression is one of dynamic chaos. The central figure on horseback appears almost suspended in mid-air, seemingly attacking the enormous windmill looming above. Curator: Doré was, in his time, among the most prolific and successful book illustrators, and his depictions of Don Quixote are incredibly well known. He was also deeply invested in the changing urban and industrial landscape of the era. Editor: Yes, the drawing captures that shift beautifully. I’m struck by the stark contrast between the archaic windmill and the protagonist’s armor against the suggestion of progress with the wings contraption—it feels very poignant and allegorical. Almost surreal. Curator: The composition is quite brilliant. Doré uses strong diagonals and contrasts in shading to convey a sense of movement and heightened drama. The density of the shading certainly contributes to that effect. Editor: Absolutely, and you can feel that sense of imbalance in Quixote's war with the windmills mirrored by an equally uneven system in 19th-century society. There is something rather desperate and sad about it when read as a cultural marker. I find that so fascinating here! Curator: Thinking about its reception, Doré’s illustrations made Quixote relatable to a broader audience, solidifying his status as a celebrated, albeit eccentric, figure within popular culture. Editor: True, but through today’s lens, one might also consider Quixote’s hubris as a cautionary tale against tilting at windmills. We’re now well aware of the complex economic realities behind social inequalities that render social activism not as tilting at windmills. Curator: The work’s impact can be measured not only by Doré’s impressive skills but also by his enduring representation of this famous literary figure. Editor: Ultimately, I see this piece as capturing both a literal narrative and providing commentary about the sociopolitical conditions during Dore’s time. An adventure immortalized. Curator: I'd agree, and it also captures the public imagination. A narrative that transcends its origin through accessible art.