Burning the Rumps at Temple Bar (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 11)

Burning the Rumps at Temple Bar (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 11) by William Hogarth is a powerful example of 18th-century British satirical prints. Created between 1725 and 1768, this work is the eleventh plate in the series illustrating Samuel Butler’s famous mock-heroic poem Hudibras. Hogarth utilized the demanding technique of etching and engraving to achieve the fine details and expressive quality required for political satire. The impression held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection is the fourth and final state, reflecting the artist’s lengthy engagement with the subject matter and the necessary technical revisions to the copper plate over decades.

The dramatic scene, set at Temple Bar, references a specific moment of political protest following the Restoration in 1660, where citizens publicly burned effigies symbolizing the despised 'Rump Parliament.' Hogarth focuses the action around a chaotic bonfire, using the element of fire as a central visual device representing public fury and ridicule. Numerous men are captured in frenetic movement surrounding the blaze, their figures rendered with the sharp, expressive lines characteristic of Hogarth’s masterful engraving technique. This piece offers biting commentary on contemporary manners and political corruption under the guise of literary illustration. Hogarth’s commitment to social commentary and the detailed narrative style of his prints cemented his reputation as a foundational figure in graphic satire. As these historical prints are now widely accessible, the work is often available through public domain sources, allowing researchers and enthusiasts continued study of Hogarth’s pivotal career output.