Prinses van Micomicon geknield voor Don Quichot 1732 - 1733

Bernard Picart's etching depicts a scene from Don Quixote, showcasing the false Princess Micomicon kneeling before the eponymous knight. Kneeling, a gesture laden with supplication and reverence, echoes through centuries, from ancient Roman submissions to medieval fealty rituals. The act of kneeling is also found in religious iconography to symbolize a mortal’s relationship with a higher power. We see it again and again in images of Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross. Observe how the posture and the placement of hands convey a sense of urgency and desperation. This universal posture transcends time, reappearing in various contexts to express profound emotional states. Here, the princess begs Quixote for help, but is she genuine? The layers of deception add to the emotional complexity of this scene. Through Picart’s rendering, these motifs become part of a cyclical pattern, constantly resurfacing to shape our understanding of power, vulnerability, and truth.