Don Quixote c. 1825 - 1826

Editor: Here we have Bonington's "Don Quixote," a small painting at the Harvard Art Museums. It seems very intimate, like we're peering into the character's private world. What strikes you about its historical context? Curator: It's interesting how Bonington, a British artist, engages with a Spanish literary icon. Think about the rise of Romanticism and its fascination with the individual, the exotic, and historical narratives. How does this portrayal of Don Quixote contribute to or challenge the perceptions of heroism at the time? Editor: So, it’s not just about the story itself, but how the story resonated with audiences then? Curator: Precisely! Consider the political climate, the shifting social structures. Bonington's Don Quixote becomes a reflection of contemporary anxieties and aspirations projected onto a figure from the past. What do you take away from this perspective? Editor: That art really holds up a mirror to society, even when it looks like it's just telling a story.