Sancho Caressing his Ass Before Going to Sleep

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 2, Chapter 33. Sancho Panza, Don Quixote's peasant squire, embraces his donkey, Dapple, in the stable of an Aragonese Duke and Duchess. Before going to sleep, Sancho asks the Duchess to ensure that good care is taken of Dapple. The Duchess is surprised that Sancho has such affection for a donkey.