Author and illustrator Beatrix Potter’s universe of characters have delighted readers for over a century. A creative pioneer and determined entrepreneur, Potter combined first-hand scientific observation with an imaginative hand-painted world of animals and gardens to become one of the most celebrated children’s authors of all time. However, Potter’s passion for nature influenced her artistic works and affected her achievements as a naturalist and “gentlewoman” farmer at her home Hilltop (an NT property).

The curators of the major exhibition Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature at the Victoria and Albert Museum (on view until January 2023) will take us on a journey through the author’s life, exploring her background as a scientist and conservationist, and the places and animals that formed her beloved stories. They will illustrate some of her botanical drawings, Lake District landscapes, and the charming characters drawn in humorous letters to friends. We will also see rarely seen works and unseen photos from family albums. Finally, they will discuss the connections between Potter’s art, legacy in preservation, and her deep passion for nature and the English countryside.