Arts & Literature

Beatrix Potter Exhibition Coming to the High Museum This Fall

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This October, the High Museum of Art will present “Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature.” The interactive exhibition encourages visitors of all ages to explore the places and animals that inspired Potter’s popular stories, such as “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” 

More than 125 personal objects will be displayed, including sketches, watercolors, rarely seen letters, coded diaries, commercial merchandise, paintings and experimental books. The exhibition will also examine Potter’s life as a businessperson, natural scientist, farmer and conservationist. 

Rupert Potter (British, 1832–1914), Beatrix Potter, aged 15, with her dog, Spot, ca. 1881, albumen print, Victoria and Albert Museum, Linder Bequest, BP.1425. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.
Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), Mrs. Rabbit pouring out the tea for Peter Rabbit while her children look on, 1907, watercolor and pen and ink over pencil on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, Linder Bequest, BP.468. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

The exhibition is organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum and is the latest in the High’s series celebrating children’s book art and authors. 

“The High is committed to serving family audiences and connecting them to the power of children’s book art, which can inspire creativity, engender empathy and teach important life lessons,” said Rand Suffolk, the High’s Nancy and Holcombe T. Green, Jr., director. “We are delighted to share the wonderful illustrations and stories from Potter’s famous tales with our youngest visitors and explore the author’s life story, which was marked by a love of learning and dedication to preserving nature for future generations.” 

Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), Appley Dapply going to the cupboard, 1891, watercolor on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, given by the Linder Collection, LC.29.A.1. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd. and the Linder Collection.

Born in London, Helen Beatrix Potter was passionate about animals and the natural world from an early age. This passion sparked her career as a world famous author and illustrator. Her interest in nature also influenced other aspects of her life, leading to significant achievements in art and science.

“Drawn to Nature” connects elements of her creative practice, from building characters and observing nature to telling stories and conserving the environment. 

Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), Sketch of the garden at Gwaynynog, Denbigh, probably March 1909, watercolor and pencil on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, given by the Linder Collection, LC.27.B.3. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.
Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), View of Monk Coniston Moor, 1909, watercolor over pencil on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, Linder Bequest, LB.541. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

“Beatrix Potter’s singularly creative life offers insights for all ages. This exhibition, part of the High’s longstanding dedication to families and intergenerational learning, is designed to welcome everyone to ask what it means to see with imagination and care for our world, together,” said Andrew Westover, exhibition curator and the High’s Eleanor McDonald Storza director of education. 

The first section of the exhibition focuses on how Potter developed the characters that inspired her most famous stories, including “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny” and “The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck.” 

Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), Drawings of a bridge scene and hares at play, 1876, watercolor and pencil on paper in stitched book, Victoria and Albert Museum, Linder Bequest, BP.741. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

She modeled her characters on animals familiar to her, and her stories were informed by careful observations of nature. “Drawn to Nature” will include many of her original character sketches and more insight into how she built richly imagined worlds. 

The exhibit also explores Potter’s scientific observations and will feature a cabinet of curiosities alongside her realistic nature drawings.

Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), Magnified studies of a ground beetle (Carabus nemoralis), ca. 1887, watercolor, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, Linder Bequest, BP.257. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.
Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), Drawing of a hedgehog, assumed to be Mrs. Tiggy, ca. 1904, watercolor and pencil on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, Linder Bequest, BP.495. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

“Drawn to Nature” will reveal Potter’s abilities as a storyteller, illustrator and entrepreneur. From her mid-20s, Potter translated her close observation of animals and nature into detailed pictorial storytelling. 

She also sold holiday cards featuring her drawings and designs. These letters and illustrations became the basis for her stories, and in 1902, she signed a publishing deal.

Another section of the exhibition features sketches and finished artworks from her books, including “The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin” and “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny.” This section will feature a dedicated reading space to sit and enjoy Potter’s children’s books. 

In the exhibition’s final section, watercolors, personal items and drawings will demonstrate Potter’s love for England’s Lake District and her work to conserve its landscape and local farming culture. 

Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), Drawing of a walled garden, Ees Wyke (previously named Lakefield), Sawrey, ca. 1900, watercolor and pen and ink on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, Linder Bequest, BP.238. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

Following her permanent move there, she recognized how much locals and visitors treasured the region. When she saw modern development threatening what made it unique, she used her privilege and position to help protect the area. 

She built up flocks of Herdwick sheep, which were in danger of dying out, and ensured the landscape would be protected forever by England’s National Trust. Upon her death in 1943, she left the charity thousands of acres of her own land and 14 working farms. 

Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), Tailor of Gloucester endpaper, 1903, watercolor and pen and on paper mounted on card, Victoria and Albert Museum, Linder Bequest, BP.460. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.
Beatrix Potter (British, 1866–1943), Mrs. Rabbit shopping, design for Windermere Fund, 1927, watercolor and sepia ink on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, Linder Bequest, LB.1832. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

“Above and beyond the delight that Potter’s book characters and illustrations bring to our lives, her creativity as a businessperson, scientist and conservationist can inspire all audiences,” said Westover. “It’s a privilege to share her stories and invite everyone to rediscover a beloved author and her enduring legacy.”

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Alliance Theatre at The Woodruff Arts Center will present “Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit Tale,” a musical written by Mark Valdez and inspired by Potter’s stories. 

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