Hudibras and the Skimmington (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 9)

Hudibras and the Skimmington (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 9) is an etching and engraving created by William Hogarth between 1721 and 1726. This print is part of a series illustrating Samuel Butler’s celebrated 17th-century satirical poem, Hudibras, which famously mocked religious zealotry and hypocrisy following the English Civil War.

Hogarth, the nascent master chronicler of 18th-century London society, executed this work using precise line work characteristic of the early British prints produced through the etching and engraving processes. The scene captures the chaotic action of a "Skimmington," a traditional form of public shaming or mockery reserved for abusive spouses or those seen as subverting the domestic order. The composition is densely packed, depicting numerous men participating in the disorderly parade, some astride horses or donkeys while others march alongside. The intense, raucous nature of the event is suggested by the crude musical instruments being played by the participants, amplifying the spectacle and the humiliation of the central figures.

Though conceived as a literary illustration, the work functions as an independent example of Hogarth’s early visual storytelling and his lifelong commitment to social satire. The detailed rendering of figures and horses highlights his growing skill in capturing grotesque yet highly kinetic action. As one of the prints related to Butler’s narrative, this specific illustration provides valuable insight into the visual culture of early Georgian England, demonstrating how contemporary artists translated literary satire into widely circulated prints. This historically significant work is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.