Hudibras beats Sidrophel and his man Whacum (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 8)

Hudibras beats Sidrophel and his man Whacum (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 8) is a foundational work by William Hogarth, dating to 1725-1726. This print belongs to a significant series illustrating Samuel Butler's 17th-century satirical poem, Hudibras, a major source of inspiration for the young artist. Executed using etching and engraving, this impression represents the first state of two, showcasing Hogarth's early skill in adapting literary narratives into potent visual art.

The illustration depicts the titular brawl, where the Presbyterian knight, Hudibras, physically attacks the astrologer Sidrophel and his assistant, Whacum. Hogarth fills the scene with chaotic and symbolic elements typical of his emerging style of visual satire. The background features disturbing paraphernalia relevant to pseudo-science, including prominently displayed human skeletons and taxidermied animals, such as a large crocodile suspended from the ceiling. These visual components amplify the scene's absurdity and critique the superstitions explored in Butler's poetry. This early work demonstrates Hogarth’s commitment to interpreting complex narrative poetry through the popular medium of prints.

As an innovative printmaker, Hogarth utilized the precise lines of engraving combined with the expressive spontaneity of etching to capture the dynamic action. This particular illustration, Plate 8 in the series, is one of the earliest large-scale works Hogarth produced outside of commercial shop signage. The availability of high-quality images and prints of this historical work through resources like the Metropolitan Museum of Art allows the public domain access to study the development of 18th-century English art. This piece remains a crucial example of Hogarth's literary prints held in the museum's permanent collection.