Don Quixote 

Gustave Doré created this engraving of Don Quixote in the 19th century, a time of great social upheaval and artistic experimentation. Doré’s work must be understood within the political and cultural shifts of 19th-century Europe, where the decline of feudalism led to new social structures and identities. Doré does not shy away from depicting the emotional depth of the characters. You can see a pensive, lone woman sitting by the water, perhaps lost in thought, or in wait. Doré’s work creates a space for reflecting on our own identities and the narratives we inherit. Does this portrayal challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations? This image leaves us contemplating what it means to be human and how we connect with the past through stories and art.