Columbus Breaking the Egg

Columbus Breaking the Egg by William Hogarth is a satirical etching and engraving created in 1752, existing here as the first of two known states. This print directly references the famous anecdote concerning Christopher Columbus, where the explorer supposedly challenged critics who claimed that establishing the route to the New World was easy by demonstrating how to make an egg stand upright by cracking its end.

Hogarth’s rendition of this historical event focuses intensely on the Men gathered around the central action. The scene depicts Christopher Columbus at a Table, preparing to demonstrate the principle using one of the Eggs. Although often associated with Columbus, the story itself is a popular illustration of creative problem solving that Hogarth likely leveraged for social commentary, characteristic of his distinctive graphic style.

As a master of the printed form, Hogarth utilized the technical precision of etching combined with engraving to achieve sharp detail and rich tonal variations. This work exemplifies the 18th-century print culture in Britain, where satirical prints were a primary vehicle for public discourse and intellectual debate.

This highly detailed print is classified as a critical historical reference and printmaking achievement. It is part of the extensive collection of prints and drawings housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Prints of this work are frequently available in the public domain, allowing wide access to Hogarth's influential narrative imagery.