Hudibras en Ralpho te paard langs een dorp

Hudibras en Ralpho te paard langs een dorp by William Hogarth, dating from the period of 1725-1735, is a significant example of British graphic satire. Executed as a print on paper, this work belongs to Hogarth’s celebrated series illustrating Samuel Butler’s lengthy satirical poem, Hudibras. Hogarth was instrumental in developing the narrative print series in England, utilizing literary sources to provide trenchant commentary on the politics, religion, and social hypocrisy of the early Georgian era.

The piece depicts the misadventures of the Presbyterian knight Hudibras and his Independent clerk Ralpho, traversing a rural landscape near a village. Butler’s poem mocks the Puritan worldview and the traditions of chivalric romance; Hogarth’s illustration amplifies this mockery, highlighting the absurd contrast between the characters' ridiculous physical appearances and their misplaced self-seriousness. As a master of satirical composition, Hogarth employs sharp, precise detailing characteristic of his etchings to capture the visual humor and moral folly of the duo as they encounter the wider world.

As a highly influential figure in 18th-century art, William Hogarth’s work profoundly shaped the genre of social commentary prints. This particular print reflects the rising demand for accessible narrative art that could be purchased and discussed widely by the burgeoning middle class. The work resides within the distinguished collection of the Rijksmuseum, contributing to their extensive holdings of historical prints and drawings. Because of its age and importance, the image of Hudibras en Ralpho te paard langs een dorp is frequently found in the public domain, ensuring its continued study by scholars interested in 18th-century English visual culture.