Don Quixote og Sancho Pansa uden for værtshuset 1810 - 1873

This is a drawing of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza outside an inn, rendered by Wilhelm Marstrand in the 19th century. Notice the contrast between the noble horse of Quixote and the humble donkey of Panza. Horses, symbols of nobility and power, have been central to art across cultures, from the steeds of Roman emperors to Renaissance equestrian portraits. Here, the tired horse perhaps reflects Quixote’s own weariness, his idealism strained by reality. Consider how, in ancient Greece, the horse was linked to Poseidon, god of the seas, embodying untamed power. Yet, over time, the horse has also become a symbol of chivalry and honor. This drawing captures the complex interplay between aspiration and the mundane. It evokes a sense of longing and the ever-present tension between our ideals and everyday existence, tapping into a collective memory of heroes and their journeys.