Let's Appreciate the Artwork of Don Quixote Together (Patreon)

Deepening one's love of literature often leads to a thirst for other art forms. 

Operas, symphonies, sculptures, and paintings all heighten our appreciation of the Great Books.

Reading and relishing Keats' 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' is half the fun. Beholding these Attic artefacts for yourself is the other half.  

Marius, Cosette, and Victor Hugo himself feel as though the chorus from Euryanthe is the most beautiful piece of music ever. So why not treat yourself to a listen as you flip through the next few pages of Les Misérables?

And, of course, whenever a character mentions a musical piece, painting, or book, it's always great fun tracking it down and appreciating the work your favourite character loves.

Sometimes the author tells us the name of the work. Tolstoy's alter-ego Levin enjoys Plato's Symposium. 

Sometimes the reference is indirect. The Poesie des Enfers tucked under Alexei's arm in Anna Karenina is an oblique allusion to Baudelaire.

Occasionally, we must speculate. What is the "English book" Anna is reading on the train? That is up to our imaginations.

So in that spirit, let's appreciate some artwork together.

Appreciating the Artwork of Don Quixote

Don Quixote is a magic mirror. "How you see is who you are," to quote Harold Bloom. Everybody sees something different.

This has been made apparent in the different responses to the novel in our very own magic inn (this book club). But it's also apparent when we look at how different artists conceive of their favourite scenes.

The windmills, the wineskins, and our beloved squire and knight errant themselves all look different depending on who is painting them.

We'll have more of these appreciation sessions together, with the next one focusing on the art and music of Anna Karenina.

If you have a favourite piece of art that ties in with any of the books we're reading together, please do feel free to share it with me for inclusion in upcoming videos.

Happy reading, and art viewing!