Hudibras Confronts Sidrophel and Whacum, Engraving by Cook after Hogarth, 1802
€ 440
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1802
Sheet size
28.5 × 41 cm (11.2 × 16.1 in)
Reference
BG-13790-4
Condition
good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling, especially on the edges outside the image. Platemark cut short in the top border, otherwise fine. Please study scan carefully.
About this sheet
The engraving was made by T. Cook around 1802, based on an original artwork by William Hogarth (1697-1764). William Hogarth was a renowned British artist known for his satirical and moralistic engravings.
The artwork is an etching and engraving.
Creation Date: Circa 1802
This engraving is one of a series of twelve illustrations created for Samuel Butler's satirical poem, "Hudibras." Samuel Butler (1613-1680) was a British poet known for his mock-heroic narrative poem "Hudibras," which satirizes the Puritans and other sects that emerged during the English Civil War.
The scene depicted in this engraving shows Hudibras, the main character of Butler's poem, startling Sidrophel and his assistant Whacum. Hudibras is about to draw his sword in a chamber cluttered with various items indicative of a pseudo-scientific or occult nature, such as stuffed animals, a globe, astrological devices, and charts. Sidrophel is depicted as an astrologer or conjurer, and Whacum is his foolish assistant.
Interesting Elements:
The print is interesting due to its satirical representation of astrology and pseudo-science, reflecting the Enlightenment's criticism of such practices.
The detailed depiction of the cluttered room with its bizarre objects adds a layer of intrigue and invites viewers to explore each element.
It provides insight into the 17th-century societal attitudes and the enduring impact of Butler's satirical work into the 19th century, as evidenced by the continued interest and reprinting of the illustrations.
The print was made for readers and appreciators of Samuel Butler's "Hudibras," particularly those interested in satirical and moralistic literature. It would have appealed to an audience familiar with Butler's work and the socio-political context of the English Civil War and the subsequent Restoration period.
This work is a fine example of how literature and visual art intersect to critique and comment on societal norms and practices. Hogarth's interpretation and Cook's engraving work together to bring Butler's satirical vision to life, providing both entertainment and commentary.
