BEGGARSTAFF Lyceum-Don Quixote

This striking poster reproduces the iconic Don Quixote design by The Beggarstaffs, the collaborative name used by British artists William Nicholson and brother in law James Pryde.

Lyceum – Don Quixote was designed in 1895 to advertise A Chapter from Don Quixote at London's Lyceum Theatre, starring Sir Henry Irving. The original design used an innovative cut-paper/stencil approach that produced the poster's bold silhouettes and dramatically simplified forms.

The image was subsequently issued in 1897 as Plate 63 of Les Maîtres de l'Affiche, printed by Imprimerie Chaix in Paris. The composition captures the timeless figure of Don Quixote with remarkable economy and graphic power.

Rendered in a bold, simplified line, the image depicts the knight astride his horse, set against a dramatically flattened background. The warm, parchment-like background enhances the historical and literary character of the scene, evoking both the antiquity of Cervantes’ tale and the handcrafted quality of early poster printing. The dark linear outlines create a powerful contrast, giving the figure a monumental and almost iconic presence.

Printed in the pre-digital poster tradition, this reproduction captures the essence of the original work while offering a highly decorative and accessible format.

A bold and collectible piece, ideal for collectors of vintage theatre posters, literary subjects, and classic European graphic design.

Framing available upon request..