Burning the Rumps at Temple Bar (Plate 11: Illustrations to Samuel Butler's Hudibras)

Burning the Rumps at Temple Bar (Plate 11: Illustrations to Samuel Butler's Hudibras) by William Hogarth, executed between 1725 and 1730, is a foundational example of early 18th-century British satire. This print, skillfully created using both etching and engraving techniques, was part of a major commission by Hogarth to illustrate Samuel Butler's popular satirical poem, Hudibras. The poem fiercely mocked the perceived hypocrisy and zealotry of the English Puritan establishment during the preceding century, providing Hogarth with rich material for historical caricature and social commentary.

The work captures a turbulent night scene in London focused on the historic boundary building, Temple Bar. The title references the political unrest surrounding the dissolution of the "Rump Parliament" in the 1650s, an event symbolically commemorated in the Restoration period by the public burning of effigies or "rumps." Hogarth uses the dramatic intensity of the fire, depicted prominently in the center, to illuminate the chaotic actions of the gathered men beneath the imposing architecture. The contrast between the flickering light and the solidity of the surrounding buildings emphasizes the fervor of the street protest.

As one of the earliest examples of Hogarth’s career as a professional printmaker, this illustration demonstrates his burgeoning ability to blend historical reference with contemporary street life. Hogarth's prints were crucial for the widespread dissemination of his political and moral critiques across London society. This detailed plate, vital for understanding the history of graphic arts and satire, is preserved today in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.