Hudibras Vanquished by Trulla (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 5)

Hudibras Vanquished by Trulla (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 5) by William Hogarth is a detailed print created between 1725 and 1726. This illustration belongs to Hogarth’s early series visualizing key scenes from Samuel Butler’s famous 17th-century mock-heroic poem, Hudibras. The work is executed using the demanding process of etching and engraving, demonstrating Hogarth's technical skill in printmaking during this formative period. The impression held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art is cataloged as the second state of five, indicating the artist's refinement of the plate before its final publication.

The scene captures the humiliation of the central protagonist, Sir Hudibras, who is summarily defeated by the aggressive character, Trulla. Hogarth meticulously depicts the aftermath of the skirmish, focusing on the moment the women overcome the men, reversing the expected power dynamics of heroic literature. The composition highlights the chaotic use of crude weapons and the intense physical confrontation. As a satirist, Hogarth uses the dense line work typical of these early prints to emphasize the ridiculous nature of the conflict, focusing viewers on the physical struggles between the various figures.

As one of the twelve illustrations commissioned for Butler’s work, this specific image is essential to understanding the beginning of Hogarth's celebrated career as a satirist and engraver. This important print is part of the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and historical significance, the artwork is frequently referenced in studies of 18th-century British satire, and high-resolution images of these historic prints are often made available through public domain sources, ensuring their wide accessibility for scholarly study and public appreciation.