Burning the Rumps at Temple Bar (Plate 11: Illustrations to Samuel Butler's Hudibras) 1725 - 1730

William Hogarth created "Burning the Rumps at Temple Bar" as an illustration to Samuel Butler's satirical poem, "Hudibras." The print captures a moment of intense political and social upheaval. It presents a scene of public outrage, reflecting the turbulent times of post-Restoration England. Here we see a carnivalesque atmosphere, where the "rump," or the remnants of the Parliament, are being symbolically burned. The crowd, armed with makeshift weapons, embody the popular discontent with the political elite. Hogarth doesn't shy away from portraying the chaotic energy of the masses. He illustrates the way in which collective anger and frustration are expressed through public spectacle and the destruction of symbols. The figures hanging in effigy point to the personal dimension of this political turmoil. The emotional undercurrent is palpable; it speaks of a society struggling to redefine itself in the aftermath of revolution and shifting power dynamics. The print is a reminder of how art captures, reflects, and shapes societal issues, offering a lens through which we can understand the complexities of identity and history.