Hudibras Vanquished by Trulla (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 5)

Art Historical Context

Behold William Hogarth's *Hudibras Vanqu by Trulla*, the in a series of seventeen small etchings and engravings between 1721 and 1726 to illustrate Samuel Butler's satirical poem *Hudibras*. diminutive print (just 4 13/16 x 2 3/4 inches) captures a comical moment from the 17th-century verse, where the pompous Puritan knight Hudibras humorously defeated by the robust chambermaid Trulla in chaotic brawl involving weapons. Hogarth, an early master of English caricature, drew from Butler's mock-heroic tale mocking religious hypocrisy and civil war fervor, making these illustrations perfect for affordable book editions. Hogarth's etching and engraving technique shines in the intricate details crammed into this tiny format—expressive faces, dynamic poses, and satirical props that poke fun at folly. As one of his earliest print series, it showcases his emerging style of social commentary through exaggerated realism, bridging Rococo wit with Enlightenment critique. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1932), it highlights how prints democratized art, bringing sharp humor to everyday readers. This artwork endures as a cultural gem, embodying 18th-century Britain's love for irreverent satire and Hogarth's genius for turning literature into vivid, laugh-out-loud visuals.

About the Artist

William Hogarth|Samuel Butler · 1697–1764

William Hogarth (1697-1764) was an English painter, printmaker, and pictorial satirist who became the first great English-born artist to attract admiration abroad. Born into poverty in London, the son of a failed schoolmaster who was imprisoned for debt, Hogarth's early experiences with the harsh realities of 18th-century urban life profoundly shaped his artistic vision. After apprenticing with si...