Snowy hillside

The painting depicts a solitary hill blanketed in fresh snow, a scene Potter frequently observed during her walks in the fells. Though devoid of narrative, the work reflects her fascination with the atmospheric qualities of mist and snow, suggesting a contemplative appreciation of the landscape’s stark beauty.

Rendered in transparent watercolour washes, the piece relies on delicate layering to convey the subtle gradations of light on snow. Potter’s brushwork is restrained, using soft edges to suggest the hill’s form while allowing the paper’s whiteness to serve as the primary highlight, a hallmark of her observational approach.

The study was produced during Potter’s tenure at Hill Top, a period when she produced numerous sketches of the surrounding countryside. It remained in her personal collection until after her death, later entering a museum holding focused on her artistic output beyond the Peter Rabbit publications.

By 1913 Potter had already established herself as a leading children’s author, yet she continued to document the Lake District’s seasonal changes through watercolour. This work illustrates the parallel track of her career: literary success alongside a disciplined practice of landscape observation, typical of early‑20th‑century British watercolourists.