Old Mother Hubbard

Analysis of Illustrations - Comparison and Contrast

There are many differences as well as similarities in the various illustrations included here. Old Mother Hubbard is depicted very similarly in most of the illustrations. Her appearance is usually that of an old woman, and she often wears an apron, perhaps as a reminder of what a housewife or maid would wear - especially in the time in which the earlier versions of this rhyme were written. Mother Hubbard's dress is ankle length or longer in almost all of the pictures, also characteristic of that times period. A cane or a broom may be present to enhance the notion of Mother Hubbard being old and house-bound. Most often her hair is up in a bonnet or in a bun. Overall, Old Mother Hubbard's appearance is the stereotypical, but sometimes factual, picture you see of housemaids and servants from the past.

The dogs in the illustrations are primarily rather small mutts, most often in the begging position, appropriate for the content of this mini-story. Some of the dogs are being more patient as they wait for their bones. A few of the dogs are pictured very uniquely.

The background and kitchen rooms that are depicted in the illustrations are actually generally plain and somewhat contrived-looking. There are only a few illustrations that have other detailed objects in the room, such as a pail of water on the floor, other shelves with pots and dishes on them, a bookcase with dishes on it, and an old rag hanging from the cupboard. Most pictures tend to focus on that empty cupboard with the doors open. Some images also have a single chair in them. Perhaps the chairs are there for Old Mother Hubbard in case she needs to sit down to rest her old aching bones.

In general, illustrators of this rhyme tend to picture the two characters and the all-important cupboard with few additional details or embellishments. Nonetheless, facial expressions, time periods, visual elements, and overall composition leave viewers with different impressions and moods.