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Days of the Week by John Hassall
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Days of the Week by John Hassall
Illustration by John Hassall to the traditional rhyme attributing different characteristics depending on what days of the week a person is born on. Published in The Sphere in 1900, note the Boer War-themed childish sketches drawn by the little girl at the end. Date: 1901
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Media ID 23273570
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Boer Character Characteristic Characteristics Days Friday Good Grace Hassall Kids Monday Oct19 Qualities Quality Saturday Sunday Thursday Tuesday Wednesday Week Wise
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John Hassall's whimsical illustration for the traditional rhyme of the Days of the Week, published in The Sphere magazine in 1901, offers a delightful blend of charm and characterization. Each day of the week is personified by a child with distinct characteristics and qualities, adding a playful touch to the classic rhyme. Monday's child is depicted as fair, with a gentle expression and a posy of flowers in hand, reflecting the belief that those born on this day are blessed with beauty and grace. Tuesday's child, a robust and rosy-cheeked boy, symbolizes the qualities of being "full of woe," as the rhyme suggests, with a pout and a frown. Wednesday's child is said to be "fair, but weak," and Hassall's illustration captures this with a delicate girl in a flowing dress, holding a fragile birdcage. Thursday's child, a wise and thoughtful-looking boy, is shown with a stack of books and a quill, embodying the qualities of "good sense" and "discreet." Friday's child, a cheerful and gay girl, is illustrated with a sunflower in her hand and a bright smile on her face, reflecting the belief that those born on this day are "merry and bright." Saturday's child, a sturdy and strong boy, is shown with a hammer and a pile of bricks, symbolizing the qualities of "hard-working" and "industrious." Lastly, Sunday's child, a pious and obedient girl, is illustrated with a halo and a rosary, reflecting the belief that those born on this day are "blessed" and "godly." The illustration is further enhanced by the childish sketches drawn by the little girl at the bottom, adding a playful and endearing touch to the overall composition. This charming illustration, with its Boer War-themed background, provides a fascinating glimpse into the past and the way children were perceived during the early 20th century.
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