The Committee (Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 10) by William Hogarth is a significant example of eighteenth-century British printmaking dedicated to historical satire. Executed using the highly detailed combination of etching and engraving, this impression represents the fifth known state of the plate, reflecting Hogarth’s iterative process working on this series between 1725 and 1768. The piece belongs to a complete set of twelve illustrations commissioned to accompany Samuel Butler’s famous 17th-century narrative poem, Hudibras, which fiercely satirized the hypocrisy and fanaticism of the political and religious factions during the English Civil War era.
The scene depicts a group of men gathered for intense deliberation, characteristic of the mock-judicial and administrative settings Hogarth frequently employed to critique contemporary society. Hogarth meticulously renders the figures, emphasizing their varied social types and exaggerated expressions. Central to the composition is the detailed depiction of period attire, particularly the distinct styles of hats worn by the assembled men. These elaborate head coverings function as key visual markers, helping Hogarth delineate the personalities and societal status of the committee members, amplifying the underlying satirical nature of Butler’s source material.
The long timeframe associated with the creation and refinement of this work, spanning several decades, reflects both the persistent public demand for Hogarth's prints and the artist's commitment to revisiting and reissuing his major plates. As a cornerstone of English graphic satire, this important impression resides within the comprehensive collection of prints held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to its cultural significance and age, this celebrated example of British prints is widely studied, and high-quality versions are frequently found available within the public domain for research purposes.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.