“Don Quixote Reading,” created by Honore Daumier between circa 1865 and 1870, is an oil painting on panel. This work, associated with the Realism art movement, falls under the genre of literary painting and is part of Daumier’s “Don Quixote” series. The artwork is currently housed in the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne, Australia.
The artwork depicts an aged, thoughtful Don Quixote engrossed in his reading. Rendered in deep, somber tones, the scene captures an intimate moment, emphasizing the figure’s contemplative and somewhat melancholic state. Don Quixote is seated, his body slightly slouched, suggesting a sense of weariness. The sparsely detailed background, along with the stack of books next to him, hints at an isolated and studious environment. The use of light and shadow creates a dramatic contrast, highlighting the contours of Don Quixote’s form and the texture of the objects surrounding him, thus enhancing the overall mood of introspection and solitude.
