Hudibras in Tribulation (Twelve Large Illustrations for Saumel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 6)

Hudibras in Tribulation (Twelve Large Illustrations for Saumel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 6) is a powerful print created by William Hogarth between 1725 and 1768. This etching and engraving belongs to Hogarth's influential series of illustrations for Samuel Butler’s celebrated 17th-century mock-heroic poem, Hudibras. Butler’s work satirized the zealous politics and religious hypocrisy of the English Civil War era, themes that resonated strongly with Hogarth’s own critical approach to contemporary society. This specific impression is recognized as the third state of three, confirming the finalized design of the composition within the artist's prolific output of prints.

As Plate 6 in the sequence, the work depicts the titular Puritan protagonist facing public humiliation. The scene is saturated with chaotic detail, a hallmark of Hogarth’s narrative style. Central to the composition is the infliction of Punishment upon Hudibras, surrounded by a volatile crowd of onlookers. The artist utilizes this moment of societal disorder to study human reaction, meticulously detailing the expressions and postures of the Men, Women, and Boys gathered to witness the ordeal. Hogarth’s ability to weave biting social commentary into complex visual narratives ensures the enduring appeal and significance of this piece.

This example of 18th-century graphic satire is classified as a print and is part of the distinguished collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hogarth's illustrations for Hudibras serve as foundational works in the history of English visual narrative. Due to their profound historical and artistic importance, reproductions of these dramatic etchings are widely shared, often being made available through various public domain initiatives for education and scholarly study.