click to enlarge
Image 1742-London-01-034 
Illustration No. 1     
Illustrator John Vanderbank 
Engraver Gerard van der Gucht 
Lithographer  
Title Caption  
Title Supplied Don Quixote's speech about the barber basin (Mambrino's helmet) and the packsaddle 
Part Part I, Madrid 1605  
Chapter Chapter 44 
Subject 44.3 Beginning of the dispute about the packsaddle
 
Illustration Type Chapter illustration
 
Technique Etching (acquaforte)
Burin engraving
 
Color Black and white 
Volume
Page Number f.p. 306 
Image Dimension 250 x 184 
Page Dimension 286 x 228 
Commentary This episode was first represented by Savery (Dordrecht: Savery, 1657), but he selected the fight; Oldfield and Vanderbank have chosen a speech.
Don Quixote, holding the barber basin, tries to convince the barber (#2) of the real nature of the basin (Mambrino's helmet).
Don Fernando, the priest, the barber (Maese Pedro) and Sancho Panza observe them.
Next to Sancho, the packsaddle that he disputed with the barber (#2).
The scene is comical because of the dialogue, not because of the action.
Drawing and engraving are masterly. 
Notes 1 - Same plate used for London: Tonson, 1738.
2 - "Esta escena, tan plácida y sosegada, es nada menos que la tremenda disputa sobre si la bacía era o no era el yelmo de Mambrino. Es imposible, sobre todo, prever que esa tranquila y mesurada conversación va a terminar en la descomunal sarracina que a Don Quijote le hizo recordar el campo de Agramante.
Estos gentlemen quijotescos [...] discuten con toda flema, con breves frases, casi sin gestos; lo cual no excluye una verdadera pasión, pero concentrada y oculta, capaz de dar (como va a ocurrir aquí, en el Quijote), una vez agotados todos los razonamientos, en incalculable estallido" (Givanel 124-126).