Hudibras and Ralpho in the Stocks (from the Poem by Samuel Butler) 1867

"Hudibras and Ralpho in the Stocks (from the Poem by Samuel Butler)" is an 1867 oil painting by Scottish artist John Pettie. This painting depicts the characters Hudibras and Ralpho from Samuel Butler’s satirical poem “Hudibras” as they sit in the stocks. The scene is set in a rural English village, with the figures dressed in 17th-century attire. Pettie’s work captures the humor and absurdity of the poem, showcasing the characters’ frustration and resignation in a humorous light. This painting demonstrates Pettie’s signature style of vivid realism and attention to detail.