Hudibras First Adventure (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 2)

Hudibras First Adventure (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 2) by William Hogarth is a foundational piece from the artist's early career, executed as an etching and engraving between 1721 and 1726. This small print is the second in a series of seventeen illustrations commissioned for Samuel Butler’s famous long satirical poem, Hudibras (1663-1678). Butler’s influential text lampooned the religious fanaticism and political fervor of the English Civil War era, providing Hogarth with rich material perfectly suited for his developing visual narrative skills.

The work captures the initial chaotic scene as the zealous protagonist, the Presbyterian knight Sir Hudibras, alongside his squire Ralpho, embarks upon his ill-fated crusade. Hogarth expertly uses the fine detail possible through the etching process, reinforced by the deeper tonal qualities of engraving, to depict the disorder of the scene. The composition is packed with dramatic action, showcasing men struggling in skirmishes, often precariously mounted on their horses, with various other animals involved in the melee, effectively conveying the burlesque nature of Butler’s poetry.

This series of prints proved instrumental in establishing Hogarth’s reputation in London as a master of narrative satire before he transitioned to painting his celebrated moral series. The inherent reproducibility of the medium meant that numerous impressions, or prints, were widely circulated, making Hogarth's early works accessible to a broad 18th-century audience. Today, as an important historical document of British art and literary illustration, the work is held within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These prints, frequently encountered in the public domain, continue to demonstrate Hogarth’s commitment to interpreting complex literary themes visually.