Don Quixote 

Gustave Doré created this illustration of Don Quixote using wood engraving. Notice how Don Quixote, mounted and armored, stands in contrast to the band of prisoners he has freed, men with chains at their feet. Quixote’s raised spear is a powerful symbol, a claim of righteous authority reminiscent of classical figures. I am reminded of the Doryphoros by Polykleitos, spear held high, a symbol of ideal form and power, yet here, it’s imbued with delusional idealism. The tree motif below, sheltering an isolated figure, echoes themes of refuge and isolation. The tree, a long-standing symbol of life and knowledge, here becomes a sanctuary. Think of Daphne transformed into a laurel tree to escape Apollo, or the world tree Yggdrasil in Norse mythology, a source of wisdom and connection between worlds. Observe how the visual language captures the emotional core of Cervantes's narrative: a blend of heroism, delusion, isolation, and the timeless search for meaning.