Artwork
The day's news
The day's news 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. A watercolour drawing depicts a mouse seated in a rattan chair, reading a newspaper.
About this work
Overview
A watercolour drawing depicts a mouse seated in a rattan chair, reading a newspaper.
Subject & Meaning
The mouse is anthropomorphized with pince-nez glasses and a focused expression, exemplifying a playful representation of animals behaving like humans common in the artist's early work.
Technique & Style
Rendered in watercolour, pen, and ink over pencil, the composition features a greyish shadow to the right, with a plain background that highlights the mouse and its surroundings.
History & Provenance
Created in 1894, the drawing was donated to the National Book League in 1970 as part of the Linder Collection, a compilation of Beatrix Potter's works.
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.
'Oh no! Miss Pussy, you'd bite off our heads'
Gentleman mouse bowing beside a teacup
Three little Mice sat down to spin
A game of cards
The Christmas dinner
Untitled
Pussy passed by, and she peeped in
A mouse knitting
'Shall I come in, and cur off your threads?'
'Making coats for Gentlemen'
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
A Field Mouse, from Above