Lot Essay
These drawings were executed at Bush Hall, Hertfordshire
Helen Beatrix Potter (1866-1943)
The following collection of Potter originals, proofs, family documents and photographs represent the various aspects of her life as an artist. Her father Rupert Potter (1832-1914) was a wealthy barrister and amateur artist in his own right, who would copy illustrated magazines and books and even designed and painted plates for his children's nursery (lot 145). A talented photographer, he posed members of his family as well as his famous friends, including the painter John Everett Millais, who inspired young Beatrix. Her brother Walter Bertram Potter was a talented draughtsman at an early age who, with Beatrix, perfected wildlife studies, specialising in birds and bats. His career as an artist included exhibiting at the Royal Academy (13 works) and RSA (14 works), his short career (fl.1894-1905) ending when he, like Beatrix, turned to farming. Examples of his drawings here (lots 151 & 152) suggest a fine-line style suitable for etching. Together Bertram and Beatrix drew the wildlife they collected and studied. Beatrix observed the colours of fish and amphibians she turned into exquisite watercolour studies from their seaside holidays (lots 142 & 143). Lizards and newts were her favourites. She was surprised to discover that newts squeak and made notes of the breathing systems of frogs and toads as well. Mice were her life-long favourites, she studied her pet woodmouse and made Christmas gifts of her drawings (lot 144). She and Bertram drew on scraps of paper and letter heads on holidays in Scotland, at Dalguise House, near Dunkeld, Perthshire (lot 151). Beatrix began her artistic career as a student at South Kensington, excelling in "Practical Geometry, Perspective, Model Drawing and Freehand Drawings", then illustrating for greeting cards and books, producing 19 books by 1913. One of the most significant book projects was The Tale of the Pie and the Patty Pan, 1905, with locations taken from Surrey and Hawkshead, which she completed in colloboration with her fiance Norman Warne, who died before publication (lots 146 & 147). In later years Beatrix turned to sheep farming in the Lake District, where she married William Heelis, a local Ambleside solicitor. There are a number of photographs and family documents related to her later life (lot 149).
We are grateful to Anne Stevenson Hobbs, Judy Taylor and Elizabeth Booth for help in the identification of these lots.
Helen Beatrix Potter (1864-1943)
Details
Helen Beatrix Potter (1864-1943)
Studies of Newts; and Sticklebacks and Dogfish
dated 'Oct.84.' and 'Oct.17.84.' respectively; pencil and watercolour, unframed
7½ x 4¼in.
a pair (2)
Studies of Newts; and Sticklebacks and Dogfish
dated 'Oct.84.' and 'Oct.17.84.' respectively; pencil and watercolour, unframed
7½ x 4¼in.
a pair (2)