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

"The Committee" (Plate 10: Illustrations to Samuel Butler's Hudibras) is an etching and engraving by English artist William Hogarth from 1725-30. This satirical print, part of a larger series, illustrates a scene from Samuel Butler's satirical poem, "Hudibras," which mocks the hypocrisy of Puritan politics during the English Civil War. The composition depicts a meeting of the "Saints," the Puritan faction, their faces and expressions distorted, their gestures exaggerated, highlighting the chaos and absurdity of their political maneuvering. The image is a prime example of Hogarth's signature style, using graphic detail and social commentary to expose the follies of his time.