The day's news

The day's news

Beatrix Potter

1894

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This sketch shows a small mouse sitting at a tiny desk. It’s holding an open piece of paper with a string tied to the desk, like it’s reading. The mouse looks focused, with its paws on the paper and its whiskers twitching. The background is plain, letting the mouse and its little scene stand out. The artist gave the mouse human-like details, like glasses and a serious expression. It’s a playful twist on how we imagine animals acting like people. This kind of drawing was common in Beatrix Potter’s early work. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more of her charming animal sketches.

More by Beatrix Potter

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app