The Funeral of Chrystom and Marcella Vindicating Herself (Six Illustrations for Don Quixote)

The print, The Funeral of Chrystom and Marcella Vindicating Herself (Six Illustrations for Don Quixote), created by William Hogarth in 1756, is a key example of the artist’s mastery of graphic narrative. Executed using the specialized process of etching and engraving, this classification of artwork functions as one of a set of six illustrations Hogarth produced for Miguel de Cervantes's classic novel, Don Quixote. The precision resulting from the engraving technique ensures the crisp detail necessary for illustrating complex literary scenes for contemporary readers.

This specific illustration captures a pivotal moment concerning death and public judgment within the narrative. The somber atmosphere of the funeral procession, marked by the grief of the men carrying the deceased Chrystom, is dramatically interrupted by the arrival of the shepherdess Marcella. The scene focuses on the ensuing confrontation, as Marcella confronts those gathered, asserting her innocence and vindicating herself against the public’s judgment regarding Chrystom's death. Hogarth expertly depicts a wide range of social types among the assembled men and women, transforming a literary interpretation into a trenchant commentary on human reaction and societal scrutiny, a signature element of the artist's prints.

As a refined example of 18th-century British printmaking, this particular impression represents the third and final state of three, confirming its technical maturity and the artist’s final vision. Hogarth’s visual interpretation of Don Quixote underscores his talent for translating complex Spanish literature into the visual vernacular of Georgian England. This important graphic work is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as an essential resource documenting the intersection of satirical illustration and the evolving standards of book production during the period.