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Hogarth, William (Designer); Cook, T. (Engraver) : Original Engraving - "Hudibras Vanquish'd by Trussa" (and) "Hudibras in Tribulation"

G. & J. Robinson, Pater noster Row, London, England, 1802

Two original black-and-white engravings on one leaf of white paper, Hudibras Vanquish'd by Trussa (Plate 5) and Hudibras in Tribulation (Plate 6). This print is likely disbound from a publication. Leaf measures 16 1/2" x 22 1/2." Each printed area (plate) measures 13" x 9." The print is very clean and intact except for age toning, a few faint dampstains, and a small chip in the lower-right corner not affecting text. A Very Good copy. Two original engravings on one sheet of paper designed by William Hogarth and engraved by Thomas Cook. The following text credits the artists and is printed below each engraving: "Design'd by W. Hogarth" and "Engrav'd by T. Cook." Publisher's information printed in bottom margin: "London, Published by G. & J. Robinson, Pater noster Row, April 1st, 1802." These engravings are reproductions engraved by Cook and modeled after the original designs of Hogarth. William Hogarth (1697-1764) was an English printmaker, painter, satirist, cartoonist, and social critic. Thomas Cook (1744/45-1818) was an English printmaker. Cook is perhaps best-known for his reproductions of Hogarth's works, which were first compiled and published as Hogarth Restored in 1806. The subjects of these prints are scenes from Samuel Butler's satirical poem, Hudibras. The poem was published in three parts as The First Part (1663), The Second Part (1664), and The Third and Last Part (1678). The poem takes place during the final years of the Interregnum, about 1658-1660, and is about the titular Hudibras, a knight and colonel of the Parliamentary New Model Army, and his squire, Ralpho. Throughout the poem, Hudibras and Ralpho are comically defeated on a regular basis, often at the hands of witty or courageous women. Each engraving includes parts of the poem corresponding to the scene. These two scenes are from The First Part of the poem, in which Hudibras and Ralpho venture out on a chivalrous quest. After trying to stop a round of local bear-baiting, Hudibras and Ralpho are overtaken by the townspeople. Hudibras is summarily humiliated when the local prostitute, Trussa (or Trulla), defeats him, stands on top of him, and requests that Crowdero, the town fiddler, be released from prison and have his fiddle and instrument case returned to him. The top plate, Plate 5, shows Hudibras's defeat by Trussa. The scene also depicts Trussa's role as Hudibras's protector as she fends off angry villagers with various weapons. After subduing Hudibras, Trussa locks both him and Ralpho in the village stocks to await an imminent flogging. However, Plate 6 shows what happens next, a rich widow frees an embarrassed Hudibras and Ralpho but under one final humiliating stipulation, that Hudibras must flog himself afterward. Hudibras and Ralpho represent the hypocrisy and ignorance Butler saw in the English Puritan leaders of the seventeenth century while the townspeople, including Trussa and Crowdero, represent virtue and the interests of the public.. Print. Book Condition: Collectible-Very Good. Binding: No Binding

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