Hudibras First Adventure (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 2) 1721 - 1726

This is plate two of William Hogarth’s illustrations for Samuel Butler’s comic poem, Hudibras. He made it using etching and engraving, processes that allow for the creation of many identical prints from a single metal plate. Hogarth was one of the first artists to successfully market his prints to a wide audience. Through these replicable images, Hogarth satirized the politics and society of his time. Notice how the material influences the appearance: the etched lines create a sense of depth and texture, while the engraved lines add detail and precision. The printmaking process itself is a form of mass production, mirroring the increasing industrialization of England in the 18th century. Hogarth’s prints were not just artworks, they were commodities, reflecting the rise of a consumer culture. So, when we look at this image, we’re not just seeing a scene from a poem, but also the impact of materials, making, and the changing social context of 18th-century England.