Duvoisin responded to the content and poetic structure of "Old Mother Hubbard" when he created his illustration for this rhyme. A large drawing introducing the old dame anchors the upper left corner of the double-page spread. Images of her whimsical pet pepper the rest of the rhyme. A separate vignette, picturing the dog's unusual behavior but omitting any visual record of Mother Hubbard's response, ornaments each verse except the last. The composition creates a varied pattern of text and illustration over the whole spread, echoing the bouncy rhythm of the verses. Strong areas of solid black ink contrast with the dainty lines of various objects and the scribbled spirals of the dog's classic poodle cut. These elegant little drawings complement the gentle humor of the verses. Unfortunately, Duvoisin's composition left no space for an image of wonderful dog's monument, an oversight he corrected in the 1943 edition.
Space constraints in the 1943 edition may have caused Duvoisin to simplify
his illustrations for "Old Mother Hubbard." There are fewer vignettes, and the
poor dog is no longer a poodle but a simple hound. However, Duvoisin's humor
triumphs in the end. The final drawing shows the dog's handsome monument, a
sculptured bust with a beatific expression.
Mother Goose: A Comprehensive Collection of the Rhymes. Edited
by William Rose Benét. New York: The Heritage Press, 1936
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Illustrations for "Old Mother Hubbard"
Pages 8 and 9
Ink, gouache, and graphite on paper
13 x 9 5/8 inches and 13 x 9 5/8 inches
Gift of Louise Fatio Duvoisin
1986.1191.039
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1986.1191.026
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