Don Quixote belærer Sancho om riddernes ry og fremtid 1810 - 1873

Wilhelm Marstrand captured this scene from Don Quixote with pen and brown ink, depicting a moment of instruction from master to squire. Notice Don Quixote perched atop the rocks, hat raised as if he's crowning himself, or perhaps, bestowing knighthood upon his loyal Sancho Panza. This gesture of elevation and aspiration, reminiscent of classical orations, appears throughout history—from emperors addressing their legions to saints blessing the masses. Yet, here, it's tinged with irony. Quixote’s grand pronouncements are, after all, born of delusion, a yearning for a bygone era of chivalry. Consider how this yearning reflects our collective subconscious. The desire to reclaim a heroic past is a recurring theme, yet it often clashes with the mundane reality, grounding Don Quixote and Sancho in their rocky landscape. The image evokes a blend of longing and absurdity, engaging us in a deeper contemplation of our own aspirations and follies. The symbol of idealism lives on, as a potent force that shapes our perceptions and misperceptions.