Beschreibung:

Attributed to Beatrix Potter  
British 1866-1943 - 
Page from an autograph book; bunny rabbit with a stoneware jug; 
pen and ink and watercolour, bears inscription lower right (under mount) 'Miss B. Potter', 11 x 7.6 cm 
Provenance: 
Sotheby’s, London, 'Children's Books', 16th March 1970, lot 363 (according to a copy of the original invoice); 
Elaine Moss (1924-2020), purchased from the above and thence by descent 
Note: 
Elaine Moss was a vital and highly important figure in children's books, working variously as an advisor, reviewer, editor and writer, producing works including 'Wait and See Book' in 1963, 'Twirly' in 1964 and 'Polar' in 1975. From the 1970s, she was the selector for the National Book League’s Children’s Books of the Year awards and she later won the Eleanor Farjeon Award for her outstanding contribution to the world of children’s books in 1976. 
Potter closely studied the natural world around her, including her pet rabbit, which inspired one of the most beloved and widely read children's books 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'. The naturalistic detail and playfulness create a relatability to the viewer. Her work was recently the subject of a major retrospective at the V&A South Kensington 'Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Life' from 2022 to 2023.