Study of a rabbit lying down (Peter)
Drawing
14/02/1899 (drawn)
14/02/1899 (drawn)
| Artist/Maker |
Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) made numerous studies of animals, some of which she kept as pets. The subject of this drawing is thought to be the ‘real’ Peter Rabbit, a pet rabbit called Peter Piper bought in 1892 ‘in the Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush, for the exorbitant sum of 4/6’ who became the inspiration for The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Potter spent much time studying and drawing this ‘affectionate companion’, who was rather fat and ‘very naughty’; a fitting model for the character of a mischievous little rabbit.
Beatrix Potter is one of the world's best-loved children's authors and illustrators. She wrote the majority of the twenty-three Original Peter Rabbit Books between 1901 and 1913. The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Frederick Warne, 1902) is her most famous and best-loved tale.
Beatrix Potter is one of the world's best-loved children's authors and illustrators. She wrote the majority of the twenty-three Original Peter Rabbit Books between 1901 and 1913. The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Frederick Warne, 1902) is her most famous and best-loved tale.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Study of a rabbit lying down (Peter) (published title) |
| Materials and techniques | pencil on paper |
| Brief description | Pencil study of a rabbit: the 'real' Peter Rabbit, drawn by Beatrix Potter, 14 February 1899; Linder Bequest cat. no. LB.354. |
| Physical description | A sheet used in landscape format for three sketche: a large and fairly worked pencil study of a rabbit lying down and, below, two slight pencil studies of the rabbit's head. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Feb 14th 99' (Inscribed in pencil by the artist lower left.) |
| Credit line | Linder Bequest [plus object number; written on labels on the same line as the object number] |
| Object history | Drawn by Beatrix Potter 14 February 1899. Acquired by the V&A from Leslie Linder (1904-1973) in 1973 as part of the Linder Bequest, a collection of ca. 2150 watercolours, drawings, literary manuscripts, correspondence, books, photographs, and other memorabilia associated with Beatrix Potter and her family. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) made numerous studies of animals, some of which she kept as pets. The subject of this drawing is thought to be the ‘real’ Peter Rabbit, a pet rabbit called Peter Piper bought in 1892 ‘in the Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush, for the exorbitant sum of 4/6’ who became the inspiration for The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Potter spent much time studying and drawing this ‘affectionate companion’, who was rather fat and ‘very naughty’; a fitting model for the character of a mischievous little rabbit. Beatrix Potter is one of the world's best-loved children's authors and illustrators. She wrote the majority of the twenty-three Original Peter Rabbit Books between 1901 and 1913. The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Frederick Warne, 1902) is her most famous and best-loved tale. |
| Bibliographic reference | Hobbs, Anne Stevenson, and Joyce Irene Whalley, eds. Beatrix Potter: the V & A collection : the Leslie Linder bequest of Beatrix Potter material : watercolours, drawings, manuscripts, books, photographs and memorabilia. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985.
p.40; no.354
Hobbs, Anne Stevenson, and Joyce Irene Whalley, eds. Beatrix Potter: the V & A collection: the Leslie Linder bequest of Beatrix Potter material: watercolours, drawings, manuscripts, books, photographs and memorabilia. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985. p.40; no.354 |
| Other number | LB.354 - Linder Bequest catalogue no. |
| Collection | |
| Library number | BP.378 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 13, 2015 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
