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| 1921 John Hassall by Fred Roe pencil 21 x 13.7 cm National Portrait Gallery, London © Estate of Fred Roe |
John Hassall (1868 – 1948) was an English illustrator, known for his advertisements and poster designs.
Hassall was born in Walmer, Kent, and was educated in Worthing, at Newton Abbot College, and at Neuenheim College, Heidelberg. After twice failing entry to The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he emigrated to Manitoba in Canada in 1888 to begin farming with his brother Owen. He returned to London two years later when he had drawings accepted by the Graphic. At the suggestion of Dudley Hardy (along with Cecil Aldin, a lifelong friend), he studied art in Antwerp and Paris. During this time he was influenced by the famous poster artist Alphonse Mucha.
Arguably John Hassall's most famous creation was "The Jolly Fisherman" in 1908, which is regarded as one of the most famous holiday advertisements of all time. His 1910 design for the Kodak Girl, in her iconic striped blue and white dress, became a feature of Kodak's advertising to the 1970s. Hassall's design was continually updated to reflect changing fashions and trends and was longer lasting and of greater international significance than his Jolly Fisherman.
For more information on John Hassall, and for earlier works see part 1. For earlier works see parts 1 & 2 also.
This is part 3 of an 11-part series on the works of John Hassall:
published by Sands & Co., London"
