Don Quixote 

This series of images illustrating episodes from Don Quixote were created by Gustave Doré in the 19th century using wood engraving. Wood engraving is an intricate process, demanding meticulous skill and precision. The artist uses specialized tools to carve a design into the end-grain of a block of wood, typically boxwood, which is much harder than the woods used in woodcut. This hardness allows for finer detail. Ink is then applied to the surface, and the image transferred to paper under great pressure. Doré's skill brought literature to life for a mass audience, capitalizing on the rise of illustrated books. The technique allowed for large print runs, making art accessible. Yet, this accessibility came at a cost; the labor-intensive process often involved teams of engravers interpreting an artist’s designs. So, next time you look at an illustration, consider not just the image, but the labor, materials and techniques that brought it into being, and its place in a wider system of production and consumption.