Adventure of the Lions · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: Adventure of the Lions
Period: 1800-1850;
Geographic: Spain; Europe
Description: Don Quixote pulls aside a cart flying the flags of the king, and the cart driver explains they are carrying Lions to the King. Quixote, wishing to fight the lion, threatens the Keeper's life. The keeper, seeing Don Quixote fixed in his posture , knew he could not avoid letting loose the lion, without incurring the resentment Quixote's wrath, and opened the door of the cage, where the lion was lying. This lion was both very large and had on it a frightful and illustrious mane. Don Quixote, clad in full armor, observes the lion with fixed attention, his sword high in the air and his shield by his side, impatient to might grapple the lion defeat it. The lion takes no notice of Quixote's challenge and merely lies in the cage lazily.
Image Creator: Robert Smirke (Illustrator); J. Fiuler (Engraver)
Type: StillImage; Engraving
Identifier: mta:25497
Language: eng
Source Name: The Life and Exploits of the Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote De La Mancha
Parent Collection: 1818 Strand
Image: mta_25497_OBJ.jpg
Collection: Don Quixote
Subject: Don Quixote (Fictitious character) in bookplates; Lion; Literature; Knights and knighthood in art; Weapons; History; Literature