Old Mother Hubbard

Style of the Period - Fancy Dress, Bare Cupboard

Old Mother Hubbard in this illustration appears to be wearing a very historically accurate dress. If viewers do not know that the illustration was drawn in 1888, they may think that her costume is too elaborate for the cupboard to be empty. What is interesting in this illustration, however, is the use of light and the position of the cane. The light draws the eye to the dog and to portions of Hubbard's cap and sleeve, but the dog is partially covered up by the cane, seeming to negate his importance in the image and placing emphasis on the dress Hubbard is wearing, rather than the dog or the empty cupboard. It is as if the viewer is forced to look at the beautiful colors in the dress, rather than the one-toned dog, floor, or even the empty cupboard.