This is a large 18th century antique engraving of Samuel Butler's mock-herioic narrative poem "Hudibras" by William Hogarth, consisting of "Vanquished by Trulla" (Plate 5) and "in Tribulation" (Plate 6).
In 1725, William Hogarth was commissioned by Philip Overton and John Cooper to engrave "twelve Historical and most Diverting Prints, taken from the celebrated Poem of Hudibras (the Don Quixot of this Nation)". These plates then passed to Robert Sayer (1725–1794), Overton's successor, with Hogarth's other early plates.
This print was published by Robert Sayer. Please note that this only includes plates 5 & 6 - other plates are available to purchase seperately.
"Hudibras in Tribulation" (Plate 5) shows Hudibras and Ralpho in the stocks, the knight's boots, sword and pistols taking the place of the fiddle; a sympathetic widow, accompanied by her maid, addresses Hudibras while villagers gather round to mock, and a small boy urinates on Ralpho's foot.
"Vanquished by Trulla" (Plate 6) shows Hudibras sprawled on the ground with Trulla, a large country-woman, astride him fending off angry villagers, including a cobbler and a butcher, wielding clubs; to left, Ralpho is held by a man with a rope and another with a sword.
Edition: Robert Sayer
Size: 640mm x 488mm
Condition: good - small tears to edges of margins consistent with age which do not impact on printed area. One larger tear to bottom margin which does not impact on printed area.