Hudibras Beating Sidrophel and Whachum (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 12)

Hudibras Beating Sidrophel and Whachum (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 12) is an early print by William Hogarth, executed between 1721 and 1726. This dynamic scene is part of a comprehensive series illustrating Samuel Butler’s famous 17th-century satirical poem, Hudibras, which mocks religious hypocrisy and political division in post-Restoration England. Hogarth utilized the demanding medium of etching and engraving to achieve the high level of detail and energetic line work required for these small-scale narrative prints.

The work captures a pivotal moment of confrontation. Hogarth depicts the main character, Sir Hudibras, engaged in a chaotic physical exchange with the philosopher Sidrophel and his assistant Whachum. This clash is rendered with the artist's characteristic blend of burlesque humor and acute observation of human folly. The expressive gestures of the men clearly communicate the sudden, palpable fear induced by the unexpected beating, transforming the conflict into a piece of physical comedy. Adding to the frenzied atmosphere, the composition includes the presence of bats fluttering above the action, emphasizing the superstitious nature of the charlatans being exposed and amplifying the mood of darkness and chaos.

These early illustrations showcase Hogarth's developing skill as a master printmaker, laying the foundational style for his later, more expansive narrative works. The enduring quality of these prints ensures their significance as examples of British satirical art from the Georgian era. This specific etching and engraving, depicting Hudibras Beating Sidrophel and Whachum, is held within the esteemed public domain collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.