The Committee (Plate 10: Illustrations to Samuel Butler's Hudibras) 1725 - 1730

This etching, made by William Hogarth, is part of a series of illustrations to Samuel Butler's satirical poem "Hudibras," likely made in London around the 1720s. It’s a commentary on the political and religious turmoil of 17th-century England. The scene depicts a committee meeting, filled with figures representing various political factions of the time. Note the hats hung on the wall behind the committee members; this suggests a critique of authority and institutional power. Hogarth uses visual satire to mock the self-importance and ineffectiveness of political bodies. The inscription on the table references the League and Covenant, a document that caused much turmoil during the English Civil War. To fully appreciate Hogarth's work, we need to understand the complex social and political landscape of 18th-century England. Art historians consult period documents, political pamphlets, and other historical sources to unpack the layers of meaning embedded in artworks like this.