Hudibras and the Skimmington, plate seven from Hudibras

Hudibras and the Skimmington, plate seven from Hudibras by William Hogarth English, 1697-1764, is a pivotal example of 18th-century English satirical prints. Executed between 1725 and 1726, this work illustrates Samuel Butler’s famous narrative poem, Hudibras. Hogarth, renowned for documenting the social hypocrisies and political theater of his era, chose this popular subject to showcase the chaos and absurdity found in English societal disorder.

As a key example of the artist's early production of prints, this work is an engraving rendered in black ink on cream paper. The specific mounting, detailed as an edge mount on cream wove paper, speaks to the historical methods used to preserve such delicate early 18th-century works. Hogarth utilized the precision afforded by the engraving medium to capture the frenetic energy of the 'Skimmington,' a traditional mock military procession historically used for the public ridicule of those perceived as morally transgressing.

The scene depicted in plate seven captures the moment the protagonist, Hudibras, is subjected to this raucous parade. The image is filled with chaotic crowds, crude instruments, and improvised weaponry. Hogarth (1697-1764) utilized his signature crowded compositions and sharp observation to highlight the farce inherent in the public shaming rituals of the time. This specific image, an important reference point for students of 18th-century visual culture and the history of prints in England, resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The work, created nearly three centuries ago, is now in the public domain and remains a vital subject for scholarly study.