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Image | 1906NewYork-01-005 |
Illustration No. | 1   |
Illustrator | Daniel Urrabieta Vierge |
Engraver | |
Lithographer | |
Title Caption | Don Quixote Studies the Laws of Knighthood. |
Title Supplied | |
Part | Part I, Madrid 1605 |
Chapter | Chapter 1 |
Subject |
1.1 DQ at his library reading chivalric novels |
Illustration Type |
Chapter illustration |
Technique |
Process / Photomechanical technique |
Color | Black and white |
Volume | I |
Page Number | 7 |
Image Dimension | 154 x 113 |
Page Dimension | 255 x 180 |
Commentary | Alonso Quijano/don Quixote reading chivalry books in his library at night by the light of an oil lamp.
Vierge's style is absolutely masterly; his figures are detailed and real, full of life; notice don Quixote's expression; also the setting, carefully-done with short and fine drawing lines that look like etching. Notice also the perfect use of light and shadow, halftones and shading. Usual in Vierge's illustrations, a black element creates a very remarkable contrast. |
Notes | 1 - Vierge's original drawings (Chinese ink and wash) were reproduced by photogravure (notice the plate mark); the specific technique used, heliogravure, allows an excellent reproduction both of the original wash halftones and of the lines.
2 - "Es una de las más bellas representaciones que jamás se hayan hecho de esta escena, tratada hasta la saciedad. El pobre hidalgo está como arrobado, realmente fuera del mundo, en medio de sus librotes; parecen éstos llenos de misteriosa vida, como un ajado tropel de murciélagos prestos a revolotear a la luz del velón, que proyecta sobre las apretadas ringleras la fantástica sombra del loco. El buril del artista, en su mariposeo leve sobre la plancha de acero, va asestando certeros toques, a centenares, a millares; y de ese cúmulo de febriles puntadas surge la imagen quijotesca, con un temblor de aparición. Desde los tiempos de Goya, Urrabieta es el primer español que rompe de nuevo con la tradición indígena. ¿Será porque el artista vivía expatriado?" (Givanel 287-288). 3 - Givanel, wrongly, refers to these illustrations as engraved on steel by Urrabieta Vierge himself. |