The Bruiser Charles Churchill, once the Reverend, in the Character of a Russian Hercules 1763

William Hogarth created this print depicting the Reverend Charles Churchill as a bear around the year 1763. It satirizes Churchill's transformation from clergyman to a pugilist. Hogarth uses visual codes to create a satirical caricature. Churchill, the bear, holds a tankard, symbolizing his love for drink, while his club is marked with the names of his victims. A pug dog, often associated with stubbornness and aggression, sits beside him as a symbol of loyalty. The print is filled with references to the social and political context of the time. Hogarth was commenting on the perceived moral decay of the clergy and the rise of popular entertainment like bare-knuckle boxing. To fully grasp the meaning of this print, scholars consult period newspapers, pamphlets, and biographies. These resources shed light on the social norms that Hogarth was both reflecting and critiquing. Ultimately, the artwork reveals the meaning of art as contingent on its social and institutional context.