Sr. Hudibras, His Passing Worth, The Manner How He Sally'd Forth": Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, Plate 2 1725 - 1726

This is Plate 2 of "Twelve Large Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras" made by William Hogarth, sometime in the 18th century, using etching and engraving. The composition unfolds as a sequence, guiding the eye from left to right, detailing the characters and their journey. The use of hatching creates depth and shadow, defining the forms and textures of the figures and landscape. Hogarth employs linearity to satirize society through Hudibras, a satirical poem by Samuel Butler. Notice how he meticulously etches each line, using it to define contours, textures, and tonal gradations. The landscape serves as a stage for social commentary and philosophical exploration, questioning the values and beliefs of the time. Hogarth’s integration of text into the image, serves as both label and commentary. The formal elements—line, composition, and texture—invite us to explore the deeper structures of meaning that Hogarth constructs. This challenges the viewer to actively participate in the ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation of its satirical narrative.