Don Quixote Defeated by the Windmill
1780s
Here lies the ultimate dreamer, flat on his back after a disastrous battle with a 'giant' that was actually just a windmill. Fragonard captures the moment Don Quixote is thoroughly defeated, his armor clanking against the ground while his loyal squire throws his hands up in the background in sheer panic. Even though Fragonard is famous for his fluffy, romantic Rococo paintings like The Swing, this loose, energetic sketch shows his incredible talent for capturing movement and storytelling with just a few swift strokes. It’s a hilarious and poignant reminder of what happens when you tilt at windmills!
- Technique
- Ink and wash