Still life study of a blue vase with pink and white pelargoniums and double wall sconce thumbnail 1
Not on display

Still life study of a blue vase with pink and white pelargoniums and double wall sconce

Watercolour
May 1883 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) 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 began drawing at an early age. By the age of eight she was filling homemade sketchbooks with scientific studies of animals, insects and flowers. Beatrix's parents, Rupert and Helen, nurtured and encouraged Beatrix's extraordinary artistic talent and power of observation. From the age of twelve to seventeen Beatrix was tutored in art by a Miss Cameron and took a formal qualification, the Second Grade Art Student's Certificate, in July 1881. During this period Beatrix produced several conventional still lifes and flower paintings. This study of a vase of pelargoniums and wall sconce was probably one of the last drawings Beatrix produced under Miss Cameron's instruction which concluded in May 1883.

Beatrix always remained sceptical of the value of her art lessons: 'Painting is an awkward thing to teach except the details of the medium. If you and your master are determined to look at nature and art in two different directions you are sure to stick' (Journal, 28 May 1883).

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read Introducing Beatrix Potter Beatrix Potter remains one of the world's best-selling and best-loved children's authors. She wrote and illustrated 28 books, including her 23 Tales which have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. In her later years, she became a farmer and sheep breeder and helped protect thousand...

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleStill life study of a blue vase with pink and white pelargoniums and double wall sconce (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on paper
Brief description
Drawing of a blue vase with pink and white pelargoniums and a double wall sconce with mirror by Beatrix Potter, May 1883.
Physical description
Watercolour drawing on paper of a blue vase with pink and white pelargoniums and a double wall sconce with mirror; folds of green drapery in the background.
Dimensions
  • Height: 373mm
  • Width: 285mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • Inscribed by Beatrix Potter in pencil on recto: May 83
  • Drawing pin holes
Credit line
Given by Joan Duke
Object history
Drawn by Beatrix Potter in May 1883. Acquired by the V&A from Joan Duke in October 2006.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) 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 began drawing at an early age. By the age of eight she was filling homemade sketchbooks with scientific studies of animals, insects and flowers. Beatrix's parents, Rupert and Helen, nurtured and encouraged Beatrix's extraordinary artistic talent and power of observation. From the age of twelve to seventeen Beatrix was tutored in art by a Miss Cameron and took a formal qualification, the Second Grade Art Student's Certificate, in July 1881. During this period Beatrix produced several conventional still lifes and flower paintings. This study of a vase of pelargoniums and wall sconce was probably one of the last drawings Beatrix produced under Miss Cameron's instruction which concluded in May 1883.

Beatrix always remained sceptical of the value of her art lessons: 'Painting is an awkward thing to teach except the details of the medium. If you and your master are determined to look at nature and art in two different directions you are sure to stick' (Journal, 28 May 1883).
Other number
ADD/2006/4/381 - Archive number
Collection
Accession number
AR.4:381-2006

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Record createdJune 26, 2007
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