Don Quixote and the Knight of the Rock (Six Illustrations for Don Quixote)

Don Quixote and the Knight of the Rock (Six Illustrations for Don Quixote) by William Hogarth is a notable 1756 work belonging to the artist's late career output of literary illustration. Classified as a print, the image was produced using the combined technical mastery of etching and engraving, and this particular impression is documented as the third state of three, reflecting the careful, incremental development of the copper plate before final publication. This series highlights the enduring influence of Miguel de Cervantes’s Spanish masterpiece on 18th-century British culture.

The illustration captures a dramatic moment in the narrative, depicting the eponymous hero adopting the persona of the solitary Knight of the Rock, a reference to Cardenio’s self-imposed exile and madness. Hogarth focuses the composition on the central figure, surrounded by other Men who are observing or reacting to his delusion. As is common in Hogarth’s satiric works, the scene incorporates elements of rural life; the composition integrates the presence of several Goats, which observe the scene with an impassive or bewildered curiosity, amplifying the absurdity of the knight’s self-seriousness.

Hogarth, famous for his moral and narrative prints like A Rake's Progress, brought his characteristic blend of humor and keen observation to this literary subject. The deliberate detailing and shading characteristic of the engraving technique ensure that the figures and environment are fully realized, providing rich context to the viewer. This important piece is maintained in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As with many historical prints of this era, high-quality images of this particular artwork often enter the public domain, ensuring widespread access to Hogarth's graphic work.