Beatrix Potter, most often associated with the bunnies, mice, and squirrels that she immortalized in her beloved children’s books, held an equal place in her heart for spiders, fungi, newts, snails, and snakes.

During her holidays, a young Beatrix would explore the countryside, study nature, and develop her talents for drawing plants and animals. Although she had lessons in painting and drawing from private tutors, Beatrix developed her own fine drybrush technique in her watercolors of natural history subjects such as this imposing drawing of a spider she made with a microscope borrowed from her brother.

Beatrix Potter: The Picture Letters, on view at the Morgan from November 2, 2012–January 27, 2013, explores the extraordinary tale of how this largely self-taught artist and writer developed some of the most vividly depicted animal characters in all of children’s literature. Centering upon the private letters Potter later used to create her beloved tales, the exhibition also includes several of her early natural history drawings, works by illustrators and writers who influenced her artistic and literary development, printed books, and early toys and games inspired by her stories.

We hope you will join us for a special media preview for the exhibition on Thursday, November 1, from 10am to 11:30am. R.S.V.P.

Read the full exhibition press release.

Beatrix Potter: The Picture Letters is organized by John Bidwell, Astor Curator and Department Head, Department of Printed Books and Bindings at the Morgan.

This exhibition is underwritten by Barbara and James Runde, and by Susan and Peter Solomon and Peter J. Solomon Company, L. P.

Major funding is provided by Barbara Hanson Pierce, Michael Francis Hanson, and Robert Hixon Hanson in memory of their mother, Margaret Hixon Hanson.

Further generous support is provided by The Caroline Macomber Fund, Rudy and Sara Ruggles, Justin G. Schiller, Ltd., and The Frelinghuysen Foundation.

Sponsored by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.


 

The activities of The Morgan Library & Museum are made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Image:

Beatrix Potter (1866–1943)
Magnified Study of a Male Jumping Spider, December 18, 1886
Watercolor, pen-and-ink over pencil, heightened with white, on tinted board
Cotsen Children’s Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections. Princeton University Library
Photography: Princeton University Library