Bishop Hatto and the Rats 1861 - 1872

Henry Marsh created this wood engraving, Bishop Hatto and the Rats, sometime in the 19th century. It illustrates a gruesome story of a medieval bishop who meets a terrible end. Marsh’s image draws on visual codes of the Gothic Revival, a cultural movement popular in Britain at this time, which often critiqued modern life by idealizing the Middle Ages. But here, instead of idealizing the past, Marsh uses it to comment on power and corruption. The bishop, a figure of authority, is depicted in a moment of utter helplessness, overwhelmed by the very creatures he sought to destroy. This speaks to anxieties about social hierarchies and divine justice that permeated Victorian society. To fully appreciate Marsh's work, consider the social and political context in which it was created. Researching Victorian attitudes toward religion, class, and social justice can help us understand the power of this dramatic image.