Hudibras' First Adventure (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 3)

Hudibras' First Adventure (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 3) by William Hogarth was executed between 1725 and 1726. This important early work is part of a sequence of illustrations Hogarth created for Samuel Butler’s lengthy 17th-century satirical poem, Hudibras, a mock-heroic narrative that skewered Puritan zealotry. The piece is classified as a print, created through the complex graphic techniques of etching and engraving, highlighting Hogarth’s burgeoning mastery of commercial illustration. The specific impression housed within the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection is identified as the second state of five, reflecting the artist’s careful revision process.

The scene depicts the chaotic opening adventure of Sir Hudibras and his squire, Ralpho, as they encounter a volatile crowd participating in the controversial pastime of bear-baiting. The composition is crowded and dynamic, characteristic of Hogarth’s narrative style. Several figures, including men on horseback, attempt to manage the unruly mob, while others brandish firearms or improvised weapons. The central tension is fueled by the presence of a chained bear, reinforcing the base humor and satirical intent of Butler’s source text. Hogarth successfully translates the literary chaos into a vivid visual commentary on English social folly and political hypocrisy.

This piece, Hudibras' First Adventure, is a seminal example of the artist's foundational work in developing satirical prints during the Georgian era. Hogarth's keen eye for detail and expressive rendering of the various men, horses, and the surrounding crowd established his reputation as a leading graphic artist, whose widely circulated prints shaped the landscape of British visual culture. This work remains a valuable reference point for studying 18th-century British prints and narrative illustration.