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.
This playful, interactive exhibition invites visitors of all ages to rediscover one of the most renowned authors of children’s fiction in the twentieth century, exploring the places and animals that inspired Beatrix Potter’s beloved stories including The Tale of Peter Rabbit™, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin. Through more than one hundred twenty-five personal objects—including sketches, watercolors, rarely seen letters, coded diaries, commercial merchandise, paintings, and experimental books—the exhibition will also examine Potter’s life as a strong-minded and imaginative businesswoman, natural scientist, farmer, and preservationist, a legacy that extends to the present.
Educators are encouraged to use these key images and lesson resources before or after their students’ visit to the High Museum to help facilitate further learning and discussion.