Don Quixote 

Editor: So here we have Gustave Dore's "Don Quixote." It's a black and white illustration, looks like a wood engraving maybe. What strikes me is how earthy it is, literally! The animals milling about really bring the scene to life. What do you see in this piece, someone so intimately familiar with Dore's work? Curator: Oh, absolutely, the earthy quality grabs you, doesn't it? It's quintessential Doré! But look closer – it’s not just a barnyard scene; it's theater! Doré uses the teeming life – the pigs, the chickens – as a sort of Greek chorus, reacting, witnessing this pivotal moment. The slight tilt of Sancho’s head towards Quixote, almost disbelieving, is a tiny masterpiece in itself. It begs the question: Is Quixote selling a dream he truly believes, or is he a conman dazzling a simple soul with fantasy? What do you think? Editor: Hmm, that's interesting. I hadn't considered that layer of deception. I was focused on Quixote’s grand gesture and the inherent comedy of a knight-errant in a barnyard. Is Dore maybe commenting on the nature of storytelling itself? Curator: Precisely! Isn't it fabulous? Doré loved that interplay between illusion and reality. He’s reminding us that even in the most mundane settings, epic stories – even foolish ones! – can unfold. And in many ways it's always about belief isn’t it? Who believes what, and why? Editor: So it's less about mocking Quixote's delusions and more about the power of narrative to transform our perception. Curator: Exactly. Doré's asking us to question our own reality. The humble farmyard is forever changed by Quixote’s promise. Now I'm seeing that pig differently! Editor: Me too. I walked in seeing an old illustration; now I see a mirror reflecting on story and believing!