Jessie M. King’s feminist spirituality in Seven Happy Days

The work of Jessie M. King (1875–1949) has often been described as delicate, motionless and insubstantial. Yet a close examination of her illustrations for Seven Happy Days , a 1913 Christmas supplement to The Studio , leads to more dynamic readings of her work rooted in spirituality centred on positive thinking and self-actualization. This article interprets King’s illustrations through the lens of the New Thought Movement, particularly the writings of Christian Larson, while also considering the possible influence of Emma Curtis Hopkins. By combining Christian imagery and symbolism with forms suggestive of New Thought ideas, King’s illustrations explore the subconscious as a source of inner power and the possibility of a divine female presence, offering a compelling model of feminist spirituality.