Don Quichot beschermt Basile 1732 - 1733

This etching, "Don Quichot protects Basile, who marries Quiterie by a trick of love," created between 1732 and 1733 by Bernard Picart, is a dramatic scene from a French play depicting the chivalrous Don Quixote defending a young man, Basile, from attackers. The illustration is executed in a refined, detailed style characteristic of Picart's work, showcasing his expertise in printmaking. The composition, with its focus on the interaction between the characters, is a testament to Picart's ability to capture the essence of a theatrical moment. The engraving is now housed in the Rijksmuseum, offering a fascinating glimpse into 18th-century printmaking and French literary adaptations.