Beatrix Potter: An awkward education

Girls of Beatrix's social class had to be proficient at the genteel arts, including painting and drawing. Between November 1878 and May 1883 Beatrix's parents arranged drawing lessons and enrolled her at the new National Art Training School in South Kensington to sit her Second Grade Art Student certificate. The generic student pieces in this display, including still life studies and exercises in design and perspective, are competent enough but convey a dark and listless formality that in retrospect seems to be at odds with the light humour and exuberance of her book illustrations.

Beatrix Potter - Still life drawing of an antler, seashells and Japanese drawing

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of an antler, seashells and Japanese drawing manual, about 1880. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of an antler, seashells and Japanese drawing manual, about 1880. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010
Betarix Potter - Still life drawing of grapes and peaches

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of grapes and peaches, July 1882. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of grapes and peaches, July 1882. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010
Beatrix Potter - Still life drawing

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing, probably an exercise in design for the Art Student’s Certificate, about 1879. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing, probably an exercise in design for the Art Student’s Certificate, about 1879. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010
Beatrix Potter - Still life drawing of part of a decorative frieze

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of part of a decorative frieze, June 1882. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of part of a decorative frieze, June 1882. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010
Beatrix Potter - Still life drawing of a salt-glazed stoneware jug and bananas

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of a salt-glazed stoneware jug and bananas, June 188. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of a salt-glazed stoneware jug and bananas, June 188. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010
Beatrix Potter - Still life drawing, probably an exercise in design for the Art Student’s Certificate

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing, probably an exercise in design for the Art Student’s Certificate, 14 May 1879. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing, probably an exercise in design for the Art Student’s Certificate, 14 May 1879. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010
Beatrix Potter - Still life drawing of grapes and peaches

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of grapes and peaches, October 1883. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of grapes and peaches, October 1883. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010
Beatrix Potter - Still life drawing of a vase and pomegranates

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of a vase and pomegranates, November 1881. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing of a vase and pomegranates, November 1881. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010
Beatrix Potter - Still life drawing, probably an exercise in perspective for the Art Student’s Certificate

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing, probably an exercise in perspective for the Art Student’s Certificate, about 1879. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010

Beatrix Potter, Still life drawing, probably an exercise in perspective for the Art Student’s Certificate, about 1879. © Frederick Warne & Co., 2010
Second Grade Art Student Certificate issued to Beatrix Potter

Second Grade Art Student Certificate issued to Beatrix Potter by the Science and Art Department of the Committee of Council on Education, 1 July 1881. Courtesy of The National Trust