Drawing of a plaster cast featuring three ivy leaves
1879
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1879
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Beatrix Potter made this watercolor around 1879. It shows three ivy leaves on a plaster cast—simple, clear shapes. She was just a young student, practicing design for an art certificate. Potter copied plants in nature or from books. That year she also studied old masters like Constable and Turner at Royal Academy shows. She said her spotty schooling kept her ideas fresh. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more early work.
