Who painted Kitten carrying game; illustration to 'The White Cat'?

Kitten carrying game; illustration to 'The White Cat' was painted by Beatrix Potter in 1894.

Where can I see Kitten carrying game; illustration to 'The White Cat'?

Kitten carrying game; illustration to 'The White Cat' is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Kitten carrying game; illustration to 'The White Cat'?

Kitten carrying game; illustration to 'The White Cat' is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Kitten carrying game; illustration to 'The White Cat'

Beatrix Potter , 1894

Kitten carrying game; illustration to 'The White Cat' is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Beatrix Potter. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This watercolor shows a kitten holding a tiny bird. Beatrix Potter made it in 1894 to go with a fairy tale called “The White Cat.” She often drew animals from life, not just fancy ideas.

The picture is part of four related sheets kept at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Before she wrote Peter Rabbit, she practiced by illustrating other stories.

Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

This watercolour, created by Beatrix Potter in 1894, depicts a kitten carrying a small bird. It was designed to illustrate 'The White Cat', a fairy tale by the Countess d’Aulnoy. The work is one of four related pieces in the Linder Bequest at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The illustration focuses on a kitten gently holding a tiny bird, showcasing Potter's ability to render animals with precision and charm. The scene is set against a snowy Hertfordshire landscape, reflecting the location of its creation, Camfield Place.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the piece demonstrates Potter's observational skills, honed from drawing animals from life. Her style blends fidelity to nature with a touch of whimsy, characteristic of her early illustrative work.

History & Provenance

Created during Potter's 1894 visit to Camfield Place, Hertfordshire, this work predates her famous Peter Rabbit books. It was part of Potter's pre-publication practice, alongside other illustrated fables and tales.

Context

Before gaining fame with her original stories, Potter practiced illustration with existing tales like 'The White Cat'. This period helped her develop her technique, later applied to her beloved children's books.

Artist & collection

Artist

Beatrix Potter

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.