Artwork
Dijolé D. Quijote: sancho amigo, la noche se nos va entrando...
Dijolé D. Quijote: sancho amigo, la noche se nos va entrando... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Célestin Nanteuil. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1855, this color lithograph presents a solitary journey across a rugged terrain.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left: Célestin Nanteuil dibo y lit; lower right: Lith de J J. Martinez, Desengaño 10 Madrid; lower center: Dijolé D. Quijote: Sancho amigo, la noche se nos va entrando...
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1855, this color lithograph presents a solitary journey across a rugged terrain. Two figures traverse a winding path atop a donkey, set against a softly illuminated sunset sky. The composition conveys a quiet, contemplative atmosphere, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow over the hills and the gentle motion of the travelers.
Subject & Meaning
The image alludes to the literary duo from Cervantes’ novel, portraying a rider and his companion on a donkey, echoing the dynamic between the idealistic knight and his pragmatic sidekick. The accompanying Spanish inscription adds a narrative layer, suggesting a moment of transition as night approaches, inviting reflection on companionship and the passage of time.
Technique & Style
Executed in color lithography on wove paper, the work employs the medium’s capacity for rich tonal variation and delicate line work. The artist’s handling of the lithographic stone yields subtle gradations in the sky and terrain, while the figures are rendered with precise yet fluid strokes, characteristic of mid‑nineteenth‑century Romantic printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print is attributed to Célestin Nanteuil, a French painter and engraver linked to the Romantic movement. Trained at the École des Beaux‑Arts under notable masters, Nanteuil later directed the Académie des Beaux‑Arts and curated the Musée des Beaux‑Arts in Dijon. The piece reflects his engagement with literary themes and print media during his mid‑career.
Context
During the 1850s, lithography emerged as a favored medium for disseminating literary and pictorial subjects to a broader audience. Nanteuil’s choice to depict a scene from Don Quixote aligns with contemporary Romantic interests in historic and literary nostalgia, while the tranquil landscape mirrors the period’s fascination with nature’s emotive potential.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Célestin-François Nanteuil-Lebœuf, known as Célestin Nanteuil (French pronunciation: ; 11 July 1813 – 6 September 1873), was a French painter, engraver and illustrator closely tied to the Romantic movement in France.
