Espagne - Conquistador - Don Quichotte 1960

This stunning circa 1960 original travel poster by the Spanish artist Ortega captures the romantic and legendary spirit of Spain through a bold and modern depiction of Don Quixote, the quintessential figure of Spanish literature.

Commissioned by the Dirección General del Turismo, the poster was part of Spain’s ambitious mid-century effort to rebrand its cultural identity to the world. Against a dramatic and painterly backdrop of a medieval hilltop city—likely Toledo or a similar historical site—Don Quixote emerges in a strikingly cubist form, his armor and lance rendered in vibrant geometric planes of yellow, red, blue, and white.

Ortega skillfully blends modernist abstraction with national folklore, creating a composition that is both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly contemporary. The visual language recalls the formal experiments of Picasso and the structural dynamism of Spanish Cubism, while the subject matter harks back to the Golden Age of Spanish exploration, chivalry, and idealism.

The figure of Quixote—half knight, half dreamer—represents the enduring power of imagination, a key theme of Cervantes’ immortal novel, and a fitting symbol for Spain’s rich cultural allure. The shadowed background, with its layered architecture and moody sky, enhances the mythical atmosphere, inviting the viewer into a world of legend, courage, and epic landscapes.

This poster is not merely promotional—it’s a cultural artifact, embodying post-war Spain’s effort to assert its identity through heritage, art, and the universal appeal of its timeless stories. An exquisite piece for collectors of travel ephemera, mid-century design, or literary iconography.

Tourisme - Espagne

Publication of the General del Tourismo Direcion

Metaloffset Barcelona - Spain

Good condition, slight tears at the bottom