Don Quixote 

Gustave Dore made this engraving of Don Quixote. In this dramatic scene, we see the quixotic hero confronting not windmills but French corsairs, firing upon the captive's boat. This image reveals the 19th-century fascination with the romantic, yet violent, figure of the corsair, embodying themes of adventure and exoticism. In Dore’s time, images of piracy and maritime conflict were circulated in popular prints and books. What does it mean that Dore depicts Quixote tilting against piracy rather than more traditional enemies? The image carries the visual codes of romanticism: dramatic lighting, chaotic composition, and a sense of movement. The image romanticizes the violence of piracy, suggesting underlying colonial anxieties and power dynamics of the 19th century, particularly between France and other seafaring nations. To understand Dore's work fully, we can consult historical archives, literary criticisms of Cervantes' novel, and studies of 19th-century French cultural attitudes towards maritime adventures and piracy. This helps us understand the complex interplay between art, literature, and society.