The Committee (Plate 10: Illustrations to Samuel Butler's Hudibras)

The Committee (Plate 10: Illustrations to Samuel Butler's Hudibras) by William Hogarth is a detailed 18th-century print executed using the demanding techniques of etching and engraving, created between 1725 and 1730. This work forms a part of Hogarth’s visual interpretation of Samuel Butler’s famous satirical poem, Hudibras, which lampooned the religious and political zealots of the English Civil War era. Hogarth, renowned for his sharp social commentary, depicts a group of serious-looking men gathered in intense, closed consultation, perfectly capturing the poem's cynicism regarding bureaucracy and false piety.

The composition focuses on the often ludicrous expressions of the figures involved in the titular committee. Hogarth employs subtle caricature to mock the perceived pomposity associated with official political or social gatherings. The print expertly uses careful line work to convey volume and texture, particularly in the distinct types of hats worn by the men, which serve as visual cues for fashion and class in the 18th century. Unlike his later, more famous moral series, this early work demonstrates Hogarth's commitment to literary illustration and developing his mastery of the printmaking process. As a significant example of early Georgian prints, this piece remains a vital reference for the study of 18th-century English graphic arts. This impression of The Committee is held in the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and reproductions of the work are frequently available through public domain initiatives, ensuring continued access to this historical etching and engraving.