Potter's World

Beatrix Potter began to draw at a very early age, encouraged by her parents, Rupert and Helen. Her earliest drawings were mostly sketches of plants and animals.

Rabbits in snow, artwork by Beatrix Potter at the age of nine.

The family's friendship with the painter Millais, gave her an insight into the world of artists and visits to the Royal Academy developed her critical skills. She very much enjoyed the work of Gainsborough, Reynolds, Raphael and Titian. There are many detailed accounts of her visits to these exhibitions in her Journal.

Birds and flowers, from Beatrix Potter's sketchbook of 1876

Many of Beatrix Potter's sketchbooks and schoolbooks can still be seen today. Most of her drawings were of the pets that she and her brother Bertram kept, and of plants.