Artwork
Four rabbits in a burrow
Four rabbits in a burrow is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Beatrix Potter. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A watercolour piece titled Four rabbits in a burrow, created by Beatrix Potter, features four rabbits at rest within a shaded burrow, contrasting with the sunlit entrance.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is believed to represent Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter from The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902), capturing a serene moment of the characters in a protected, cool space, juxtaposed with the warm, illuminated burrow opening.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the work showcases Potter's characteristic attention to detail and ability to convey subtle contrasts of light and shade, as seen in the transition from the burrow's interior to its entrance.
History & Provenance
While the exact date is not specified, the piece is associated with Potter's productive period between 1901 and 1913, when she wrote and illustrated the Original Peter Rabbit Books, with The Tale of Peter Rabbit being published in 1902 by Frederick Warne.
Context
This watercolour reflects Potter's dual role as author and illustrator, blending literary narrative with visual storytelling, characteristic of her approach to the Peter Rabbit series.
Artist & collection
Artist
Helen Beatrix Heelis (née Potter; 28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943), usually known as Beatrix Potter ( BEE-ə-triks), was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist.
