”Muddled his brains by reading books of chivalry, full of stories of knights and enchanters” John Gilbert (1817-1897)

The drawing presents a chaotic scene steeped in theatricality and fantasy. A central figure, mounted on horseback, dominates the composition. He is clad in elaborate armor, brandishing a sword aloft with a gesture that suggests both triumph and delusion. Above him, the name Dulcinea appears prominently, rendered in an ornate script that contributes to the overall sense of heightened drama.
The rider’s posture and expression convey a fervent belief in his chivalric ideals, yet there is also a hint of instability or madness in his gaze. The horse itself seems agitated, rearing up on its hind legs, mirroring the turmoil of its riders mind.
Surrounding this central figure are numerous other characters, depicted with varying degrees of detail and emotion. A man to the left appears to be fleeing, his posture suggesting panic or disbelief. Behind the mounted knight, a crowd gathers before a formidable castle structure, their faces contorted in expressions ranging from awe to mockery. The architectural details of the castle are rendered with a degree of precision that contrasts sharply with the more stylized depiction of the figures.
At the base of the composition, a serpentine form writhes across the ground, adding an element of danger and the supernatural to the scene. This detail reinforces the notion that the events unfolding are not grounded in reality but rather exist within a realm of imagination and fantasy.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette and intricate linework contribute to its overall effect of heightened drama and unreality. The artist has employed strong contrasts between light and shadow to emphasize the emotional intensity of the scene, while the dense network of lines creates a sense of visual complexity that mirrors the tangled nature of the narrative it depicts. It seems likely that the work intends to portray the consequences of excessive immersion in fantastical narratives, suggesting a blurring of boundaries between reality and illusion.