Sancho Embracing His Ass

Gustave Doré illustrated the 1863 French publication of Cervantes' "L'ingénieux hidalgo don Quichotte de la Manche," published in Paris by Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie. His designs were engraved by Héliodore Joseph Pisan. The same plates were used for an English translation from 1870, "The History of Don Quixote," published in London by Cassell, Petter, and Galpin. The English edition, with its vivid illustrations by Doré, helped popularize Cervantes' tale among British and American audiences
This scene illustrates a passage from Volume 1, Chapter 30. Here, Sancho is reunited with Dapple, his donkey who had been stolen by the freed criminal Ginés de Pasamonte. Sancho kisses him and caresses his face, and Dapple silently receives his affections.