Gezicht op een standbeeld van Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra op het Plaza de las Cortes in Madrid c. 1880 - 1890

Editor: So, this photograph, taken by Juan Laurent, is called "Gezicht op een standbeeld van Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra op het Plaza de las Cortes in Madrid," and it dates back to the 1880s or 90s. Looking at it, I’m immediately struck by the sense of stillness – the soft focus and muted tones give it this almost dreamlike quality. What pulls you in when you look at it? Curator: Ah, yes, the quiet grandeur… I feel like I’m peering into a memory. It’s more than just a photograph; it's an emotional landscape. The way Laurent frames Cervantes against the city backdrop – a building partially hidden by trees—it's like Cervantes and his literary descendants have always watched over the city. Doesn’t it almost feel as though Cervantes could walk off the pedestal at any moment and into the modern world? Do you find yourself contemplating a specific narrative when viewing it? Editor: Absolutely! I get the sense that Cervantes is not just some historical figure, but a symbol. The trees sort of remind me of a proscenium arch, as if we are looking at the setting for a play. Curator: A lovely metaphor! Laurent's photography here has pictorialist elements; he captures not just the physical place but its spirit, as though the Madrid cityscape has a certain theatrical flair, as if everyone there is playing some role. I wonder if Cervantes knew that even now, centuries later, he'd be inspiring dialogue, playing to an unseen audience? Perhaps you and I are both players, on our stage, pondering photography of his stage. Editor: That’s a fantastic way to put it. I think what really sticks with me is how this photo makes history feel so alive and accessible. It is not static. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure! This work reminded me that every city square is a stage, and every photograph, a story waiting to unfold. What a wonderful realization!