The Bruiser

Date1795-1822

Engraver William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

Engraver James Heath (1757 - 1834)

OriginEngland, London

MediumLine engraving and etching on wove paper

DimensionsOther (Platemark): 15 × 11 5/16in. (38.1 × 28.7cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1972-409,135

DescriptionLower margin reads, "THE BRUISER, C. CHURCHILL (once the Rev:d!) in the Character of a Russian Hercules, Regaling himself after having Kill'd the Monster Caricatura that so Sorely Gall'd his Virtuous friend, the Heaven born WILKES!/ -- But he had a club this Dragon to Drub,/ Or he had ne'er don't I warrant ye;--- Dragon of Wantley/ Design'd and Engraved by W.m Hogarth./ Published according to Act of Parliament August 1, 1763."
Label TextThis print satirized the libertine character of poet and failed parson Charles Churchill. Churchill had harshly criticized engraver William Hogarth following Hogarth’s caricature portrait of Churchill’s close friend and radical politician, John Wilkes (see 2000-116). In “An Epistle to William Hogarth,” Churchill attacked Hogarth, calling the famous artist weak and vain. Churchill lambasted Hogarth’s satires, arguing that the engraver always saw the worst in people. Soon after Churchill’s criticism, Hogarth created “The Bruiser” in response to Churchill’s “Epistle,” altering the same copper plate from his self-portrait engraving "Gulielmus Hogarth" (see 1972-409,1 for a later version). Hogarth illustrated Churchill as a drunk bear, carrying a club with “lyes” on it. Hogarth’s famous pug that frequently symbolized the artist himself pees on Churchill’s “Epistle.” Churchill weighed about 300 pounds and was nicknamed “The Bruiser.”

On the bottom right corner, a framed image depicts Hogarth whipping Churchill, as a bear, and Wilkes, as a monkey. Wilkes in monkey form holds his “North Briton,” labeled “NB” and sits on the pole of his Liberty Cap from Hogarth’s caricature like a hobby horse. On the left, a figure representing William Pitt is being crowned while pointing at a medal with £3000 on it, alluding to the pension Pitt accepted upon resigning as the leader of the House of Commons. Pitt, a supporter of the continuation of the Seven Years War, fires a cannon ball at the dove of peace.