Artwork
Two rabbits smoking pipes
Two rabbits smoking pipes is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Beatrix Potter. It dates from 1902 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This watercolor shows two rabbits sitting together while smoking pipes. It was made by Beatrix Potter in 1902.
The bunnies aren't Peter and his siblings from her famous book. They're older rabbits, drawn for a real boy who got the first Peter Rabbit letter back in 1893.
Check out another rabbit drawing by Beatrix Potter at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1902 watercolour by Beatrix Potter depicts two older rabbits seated together, smoking pipes. Created for Noël Moore, the recipient of the first Peter Rabbit story, it differs from her popular children's book illustrations.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is not Peter Rabbit or his siblings, but rather two mature rabbits engaged in a leisurely activity, reflecting a unique, personal commission rather than a narrative from her published works.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the piece showcases Potter's characteristic attention to detail and gentle, realistic rendering of animal subjects, consistent with her illustrative approach.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Noël Moore in 1902, following his request for a drawing after receiving the initial Peter Rabbit story in 1893. Moore's inscription on the verso documents its origin and personal significance.
Context
While a version of this illustration (with alterations) appears in 'Cecily Parsley’s Nursery Rhymes', its creation was a personal gesture for Moore, distinct from her mass-published works like 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' (1902).
Legacy
This watercolour remains a notable example of Potter's work outside her famous series, highlighting her personal connections and the evolution of her characters beyond published narratives.
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.
