Not currently on display at the V&A

Study of undergrowth with grasses and clover

Drawing
ca.1890-1913 (made)
Artist/Maker

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.

Natural history was a topic of great interest to Beatrix Potter and the Linder Bequest includes many studies that see her working closely from nature. This sheet sees Potter make a detailed study of undergrowth, with plants including clover seen among branches and lush vegetation. Her keen eye for observation also informed the animals and plants seen in her book illustrations: she always remained faithful to the true nature and appearance of the animals and plants depicted.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleStudy of undergrowth with grasses and clover (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour over pencil on paper
Brief description
Watercolour over pencil study of undergrowth with grasses and clover (recto) and rough pencil studies of the same scene (verso) by Beatrix Potter, late 19th or early 20th century; Linder Bequest cat. no. LB.652.
Physical description
Watercolour over pencil study of undergrowth with grasses and clover (recto) and rough pencil studies of the same scene (verso).
Dimensions
  • Sheet height: 228mm
Style
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Linder Bequest [plus object number; written on labels on the same line as the object number]
Object history
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 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.

Natural history was a topic of great interest to Beatrix Potter and the Linder Bequest includes many studies that see her working closely from nature. This sheet sees Potter make a detailed study of undergrowth, with plants including clover seen among branches and lush vegetation. Her keen eye for observation also informed the animals and plants seen in her book illustrations: she always remained faithful to the true nature and appearance of the animals and plants depicted.
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.68; no.652 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.68; no.652
Other number
LB.652 - Linder Bequest catalogue no.
Collection
Library number
BP.976

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Record createdJanuary 22, 2016
Record URL
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