Don Quixote

5RR Miguel de Cervantes, illustrated by Gustave Doré. London, ca 1880.  

Notes

Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes, is one of the most important works in Western literature, first published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. The novel follows the adventures of a man named Alonso Quixano, who, inspired by tales of chivalry and knight-errantry, adopts the name "Don Quixote" and sets out on a series of misadventures, believing himself to be a noble knight. Accompanied by his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, he embarks on a quest to revive chivalric values and defend the helpless, often seeing the world through a distorted lens that leads to comical and sometimes tragic situations.

The inspiration for Don Quixote stemmed from Miguel de Cervantes' own experiences and his observations of the changing world of the early 17th century. At the time, the chivalric tradition, once a popular genre in literature, had become outdated and was largely seen as naive and impractical. Cervantes, aware of the rise of more modern, realistic narratives, sought to both satirize and celebrate the idealism and excesses of medieval romance literature. The story of Don Quixote reflects Cervantes' personal frustrations, including his years of financial hardship and imprisonment, which lent a layer of depth to the themes of delusion and disillusionment. His creation of a character who blurs the line between fantasy and reality captures the broader tension between the ideal and the real in a rapidly evolving society.

Gustave Doré (1832–1883) was a French artist, illustrator, and engraver renowned for his striking and detailed illustrations. He became famous for his work on numerous classic literary texts, including The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, The Bible, and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Doré's illustrations are known for their dramatic use of light and shadow, as well as their intricate detail and dynamic compositions. His work was instrumental in shaping the visual language of the 19th century, and his distinctive style of romanticism and dramatic realism influenced both the art and literary worlds. Doré's contributions helped make illustrated books immensely popular during his time, and his legacy continues to be celebrated for the way he brought literary works to life through his powerful imagery.

Don Quixote explores themes of reality versus illusion, the clash between idealism and practicality, and the limits of human aspiration. The novel is often regarded as a pioneering work of modern Western literature due to its deep psychological complexity, its exploration of individual identity, and its innovative narrative structure. Cervantes' masterwork is both a parody of the chivalric tradition and a profound reflection on the human condition, blending humor, satire, and pathos in a way that has influenced countless works of literature and continues to resonate with readers today.

Description

Three quarter red leather with marbled boards. Five raised bands with gilt embossed decorative elements and black leather label in the second compartment with gilt lettering. Marbled endpapers and all edges marbled. Many engravings throughout. One inch tear to the upper center of the upper board. General scuffing to boards. Bumped corners and rubbing to the extremities. Some fading to the spine. Foxing to the flyleaves but almost none throughout the rest of the book. Fully intact. Fine condition overall.