Letter X: Quixote c. 1912

Curator: Lovis Corinth's "Letter X: Quixote" captures a pivotal literary figure, created with rapid, energetic strokes. Editor: It feels almost frantic! The density of charcoal suggests a mind overwhelmed, fitting for the subject matter. Curator: Indeed. The figure of Don Quixote, and the bold "X" intersecting the scene, speak to the crossroad of fantasy and reality. The windmill looms, laden with false significance. Editor: I'm struck by Corinth's choice of charcoal. It allows for a rough, immediate texture, a directness that suits the character's impulsive nature and the social commentary embedded in Cervantes' work. Curator: The romantic symbolism of the knight errant tilts poignantly toward disillusionment. Editor: Ultimately, the work's power resides in how Corinth wrings so much expression from such a humble material. Curator: I agree, a beautiful meditation on dreams versus the constraints of the material world. Editor: A potent reminder of art's ability to transform humble matter into something meaningful.