The Encounter with Talgol and Magnano (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 3)

The Encounter with Talgol and Magnano (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 3) by William Hogarth is an important early work, forming part of a sequence illustrating Samuel Butler’s famous 17th-century satire. Created between 1721 and 1726, this print utilizes the detailed techniques of etching and engraving. Hogarth expertly handled the copper plate, using etching to define the broad narrative contours and engraving to add precise detail and tonal variation, showcasing his early mastery of commercial printmaking.

The scene captures a chaotic confrontation derived from Butler’s mock-heroic text. Several men are engaged in conflict, brandishing weapons. Amidst the action, the composition features a prominent bear being baited, accompanied by a small dog, integral figures in the comedic violence. The background, defined by stylized trees, provides a setting for the arrival of additional figures mounted on horses. A violin, perhaps referencing the mock-heroic nature of the fight or the presence of itinerant performers, lies abandoned near the center foreground.

These small illustrations predate Hogarth’s more famous narrative series, providing crucial insight into the development of his signature satirical style. Hogarth’s early prints established him as a prominent visual commentator in the Georgian era. This specific impression is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As this historical work is now in the public domain, it remains a frequently studied example of 18th-century British printmaking and the artist’s engagement with complex literary source material.