Hudibras and the Skimmington (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 7)

Hudibras and the Skimmington (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 7) is a significant satirical print by William Hogarth, executed over a period spanning 1725 to 1768, reflecting the artist’s iterative process in producing and perfecting his designs. This work belongs to a set of illustrations accompanying Samuel Butler’s lengthy 17th-century narrative poem Hudibras, a biting satire targeting religious and political zealotry during the English Civil War. Hogarth utilized a combined medium of etching and engraving to achieve the necessary technical complexity and tonal depth, characteristic of 18th-century British prints. The specific impression held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is cataloged as the third and final state of three, representing the artist’s definitive visualization of the scene.

The composition depicts the "Skimmington," a traditional English public shaming ritual. Hogarth captures the chaotic energy of the disorderly procession, which typically targeted couples perceived as morally or domestically aberrant. A dense crowd of Men fills the foreground, providing the momentum for the spectacle. Central figures are often mounted backwards on Horses or donkeys, symbolizing the inversion of social order. The setting is a bustling urban street lined with multi-storied Houses that frame the action. The rowdy atmosphere is amplified by the presence of improvised Musical Instruments, such as pots and pans, which participants use to create noise and mockery, underscoring the print’s theme of public ridicule and societal folly.

This complex and witty illustration demonstrates Hogarth's mastery of visual narrative and his enduring interest in combining literary sources with contemporary social commentary. As a key example of the artist’s early illustrative output, the work underscores Hogarth’s status as the preeminent visual chronicler of Georgian London. The original print resides within the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the historical significance of the print series, high-resolution reference files of these illustrations often enter the public domain, allowing students and enthusiasts worldwide to study the detailed craftsmanship of Hogarth’s enduring prints.