Artwork

Side view of a bat with wings folded

Side view of a bat with wings folded, by Beatrix Potter, watercolor, 1885
Side view of a bat with wings folded, by Beatrix Potter, watercolor, 1885

Side view of a bat with wings folded is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Beatrix Potter. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

In 1885, Beatrix Potter painted a precise watercolour of a bat with folded wings. The work shows her sharp eye for nature. Potter often drew animals from life.

Her journal mentions a tame pet bat her brother kept. She found bats surprisingly active. This study fits in a series of bat drawings from the 1880s.

Look up the artist Beatrix Potter next.

Overview

This watercolour painting from 1885 depicts a bat with its wings folded, showcasing the artist's attention to detail and observational skill.

Subject & Meaning

The work is part of a series of bat studies Beatrix Potter created between 1884 and 1887, reflecting her lifelong interest in natural history and her ability to observe animals closely.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the painting demonstrates Potter's precision and skill in capturing the subtleties of her subject.

History & Provenance

The painting is dated December 1885 and is among several bat studies in the Linder Bequest, a collection of Potter's work.

Context

Potter's fascination with bats was informed by her experience caring for a pet bat owned by her brother, which she described in her journal as being surprisingly active and agile.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Beatrix Potter

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.