Hudibras Triomphante, 18th century English painter

18th century English painter
William Hogarth (London 1697 - 1764) School of

Hudibras Triomphante (from the poem by Samuel Butler)

Circa 1740, England
Oil on canvas (62 x 50 cm. - Framed 83 x 71 cm.)

The painting is a rare iconographic representation of a scene from the English satirical poem ‘Hudibras’, written by Samuel Butler between 1660 and 1680, and is a satire on Cromwell's supporters and the Presbyterian Church.

The poem, very popular in its time, tells the story of the exploits of Hudibras, a colonel in Cromwell's army, and his squire Ralpho, both of whom are involved in various comic misadventures that reveal their stupid, greedy and dishonest character.

The inspiration from Don Quixote is evident, but unlike the work of Miguel de Cervantes, Butler includes many more references to current characters and events.

Illustrated versions of the poem also became popular, such as the one published in London in 1726 with illustrations by William Hogarth, a painter famous for his narrative paintings and prints that skilfully satirised and highlighted the social and moral issues of his time.

Hogarth, who excelled in the creation of sequential narrative series, skilfully organising figures and symbolic elements to convey clear stories, created a series of twelve engravings illustrating the adventures of Hudibras.

Our painting is taken from one of these engravings, published in 1726, entitled ‘Hudibras Triomphante’: the protagonist, showing his determination, has arrested the violinist and is taking him to prison with his hands tied behind his back, while Ralpho attaches his violin to a stump. Thus exhibited, the censored violin will be seen as a lasting reminder of the musician's misdeeds.