拍品专文
This scene is inspired by the celebrated novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616), first published in 1604. In the book, Alonso Quixano, inspired by the heroes of his books on chivalry, becomes a knight-errant, wearing his great-gandfather's suit of armour and renaming himself Don Quixote de la Mancha. He is knighted by an innkeeper whose inn he mistakes for a great castle. He sets out on his adventures with Sancho Panza, a peasant he convinced to be his squire by promising him to become a governor of an island that he will conquer.
The book was first translated into French by Filleau de Saint-Martin in 1678. It was republished twenty times in the course of the 18th Century and used as the basis for a number of tapestry series woven in Europe, the first being after designs painted by Charles-Antoine Coypel (1694-1752) for the Royal Gobelins Tapestry Manufacture.
A tapestry, probably from the same set, depicting Don Quixotte with an entourage before courtly figures, was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 20 March 1969, lot 149, and a further identical panel from the property of Cornelia, Countess of Craven, sold in these Rooms, 25 April 1922, lot 7.
The book was first translated into French by Filleau de Saint-Martin in 1678. It was republished twenty times in the course of the 18th Century and used as the basis for a number of tapestry series woven in Europe, the first being after designs painted by Charles-Antoine Coypel (1694-1752) for the Royal Gobelins Tapestry Manufacture.
A tapestry, probably from the same set, depicting Don Quixotte with an entourage before courtly figures, was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 20 March 1969, lot 149, and a further identical panel from the property of Cornelia, Countess of Craven, sold in these Rooms, 25 April 1922, lot 7.
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