Don Quichot lezend in een ridderroman 1770

This etching by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, titled “Don Quichot lezend in een ridderroman,” depicts the titular character of Miguel de Cervantes’ famous novel, Don Quixote, seated at a table, deeply engrossed in a book. The scene takes place in a simple, domestic setting, with an older woman, likely his housekeeper, serving him food. The etching captures a moment of contemplation and escape as Don Quixote, a man consumed by his own fantasy world of chivalry, loses himself in the pages of a chivalric romance. The etching is considered part of the Rococo art movement, a style characterized by elaborate ornamentation and whimsical themes, which is reflected in the delicate details and light-heartedness of this work. The work was created in 1770, when Chodowiecki was at the peak of his career, and is a testament to his skill as a draftsman and printmaker. This artwork is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.