Hugging the Doll - Jessie Willcox Smith Art Print

A poignant moment extracted from the pages of an exceptional work, The Seven Ages of Childhood (1909), authored by Carolyn Wells and adorned with illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith. True to its title, the book is organized into seven distinct sections, each dedicated to a phase of childhood development. The girl depicted here resides within the fourth chapter, where a heartfelt poem encapsulates a child's initial encounter with profound emotions:

Perhaps it is a favorite doll, 
Often the raggedest of all,
That bids affection start.
Unstinted love is gladly poured,
Upon the dolly so adored
By little Tenderheart.

Jessie Willcox Smith (1863-1935), a cherished name at Laughing Elephant, wields a remarkable artistic legacy. Mentored by Howard Pyle, an illustrious influence, she emerged as a formidable woman artist in the Golden Age of Illustration, defying norms in a male-dominated realm—she was among the highest-paid illustrators of her time! Beyond canvas, she left her mark on nearly 200 Good Housekeeping magazine covers, while also gracing classic children's books and creating artistic ads for iconic brands like Ivory Soap and Kodak. Sensitivity to human experience defined her work, and her idealized images endure as motherhood and childhood archetypes.

Our prints are suitable for framing or can be used as is for wall display.

This product was custom designed and created at our location in Seattle.

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