Dode ridder (Orlando?) wordt door vrouw en geniï weggedragen 1652 - 1708

This drawing, created by Jean (II) Cotelle between 1652 and 1708, depicts a scene from the story of Orlando, a famous knight in the epic poem *Orlando Furioso* by Ludovico Ariosto. It is believed that Orlando has lost his mind due to the treachery of his love, Angelica, and is being carried away by women and genii, possibly symbolizing the forces of nature and fate that have taken control of him. The drawing, now located in the Rijksmuseum, showcases Cotelle's skill in capturing the dramatic tension of the scene with a powerful sense of movement and gesture. The use of a delicate black chalk on paper provides an ethereal quality to the figures, creating a compelling narrative in a small, yet captivating format.