Don Quixote consults the enchanted head at Don Antonio Moreno's place 1781

Curator: This is Augustin de Saint-Aubin's "Don Quixote consults the enchanted head at Don Antonio Moreno's place." The engraving illustrates a scene from Cervantes' novel. Editor: It feels theatrical, almost like a stage production. The figures are arranged so deliberately. Curator: Saint-Aubin, active in the late 18th century, was known for his engravings and illustrations. This piece reflects the era's fascination with Cervantes' work and the social commentary it offered. Editor: Absolutely. Quixote's delusion becomes a spectacle here, a public performance for the amusement of the upper class. The blurred lines between reality and fantasy are emphasized. Curator: The composition is quite interesting. The curtain draws our eye to the characters surrounding the head, a focal point of inquiry and perhaps manipulation. Editor: I find it compelling how this small print encapsulates the larger themes of power dynamics and the exploitation of belief. It speaks to the period's societal structures. Curator: This piece certainly gives us insight into the ways stories and beliefs were visualized and consumed in the 18th century. Editor: It leaves me contemplating the role of spectacle in shaping our understanding of truth and reality, then and now.