Artwork
Rabbit opening a door to find a basket of food, including carrots
Rabbit opening a door to find a basket of food, including carrots 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. This watercolour, created around 1894, depicts a rabbit opening a door to discover a basket of food, with carrots prominently displayed.
About this work
Beatrix Potter painted a cozy indoor scene in watercolour around 1894. A rabbit stands on its hind legs, paw on a door handle. Inside waits a basket full of food, and carrots are piled on top.
This was one of Potter’s early imaginary pictures. She drew it to practice her art and later turned her skills to children’s books.
Check out more watercolours by the same artist.
Overview
This watercolour, created around 1894, depicts a rabbit opening a door to discover a basket of food, with carrots prominently displayed. It is an early imaginary picture by Beatrix Potter, crafted to hone her artistic skills.
Subject & Meaning
The scene showcases a rabbit's discovery of a food basket, emphasizing everyday wonder and gentle humor, characteristic of Potter's approach to illustrating relatable, whimsical moments for children.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the piece demonstrates Potter's developing skill in the medium, with attention to detail in both the rabbit's pose and the interior setting, foreshadowing her later illustrative style.
History & Provenance
Originally a preparatory sketch for a design featured on the cover of Ernest Nister's 'Changing Pictures' (1894), a version of this work, with turnips added to the basket, is now part of the National Trust collection.
Context
Created during a period when Potter was illustrating fairy tales and developing her technique through imaginary scenes, this work bridges her early artistic explorations and her future success with children's literature.
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.
