Stencil for Illustrated Don Quixote (Ehon Don Kihōte) Possibly 1936

Editor: This stencil print for Serizawa Keisuke’s illustrated Don Quixote, held at the Harvard Art Museums, is striking. The composition is quite unusual, almost like two scenes in one. How might this design speak to the cultural context of the story it accompanies? Curator: It’s fascinating, isn’t it? The black and white, the stylized landscape... Serizawa was a key figure in the Mingei movement. How do you see that influence here, especially in how it frames a European narrative? Editor: I see it in the emphasis on folk craft, perhaps democratizing the tale through this medium, yet I am surprised how it might echo traditional Japanese art, and how those merge. What can you tell me about the way this artwork entered the museum? Curator: Good question. Pieces like this were seen to bridge cultural gaps post-war, highlighting shared humanity. It's a testament to how art can be a tool for diplomacy and understanding, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely. It makes me think about the role museums play in shaping these narratives too, even today. Curator: Precisely. The museum context adds another layer to its reception and interpretation.