Don Quixote bliver vasket af hertugindens hofdamer 1686 - 1767

Curator: Let’s take a moment to observe "Don Quixote bliver vasket af hertugindens hofdamer," which translates to "Don Quixote Being Washed by the Duchess's Court Ladies." It's an engraving, dating somewhere between 1686 and 1767, created by Louise Magdeleine Horthemels. Editor: It’s surprisingly amusing, isn't it? There's a real sense of theatrical absurdity here, even in monochrome. The faces of the ladies especially are so affected! I find it incredibly humorous—Don Quixote appears completely bewildered, yet passively accepts this… flamboyant cleansing. Curator: The print illustrates a scene from Cervantes’ Don Quixote, highlighting themes of parody and the burlesque within courtly rituals. Note the material conditions implied here; the production of courtly "play" involving labour and spectacle for amusement. Editor: Absolutely, you can almost hear the echoes of laughter bouncing off those opulent, albeit starkly rendered, walls. Look how consciously Horthemels frames the composition, staging the scene almost like a play. The archways in the background are the theatre to the theatre! There is even some implied class commentary; Quixote doesn't quite understand how absurd all this show is, yet remains a key component. Curator: Indeed, Horthemels captures this moment of spectacle and uses printmaking as a means to disseminate this image. The engraving process allowed for multiples to be produced for wide consumption. Editor: In that way, the themes really mirror one another. Like Don Quixote getting caught up in a world that he both is and isn't really a part of, this very funny commentary has now been printed for wide consumption. To be experienced outside of court. It’s a delightfully wry comment on social hierarchies, performed foolishness and... soap. Curator: A fruitful analysis, considering materiality and performance. Editor: Indeed, an artful jab!