Lady Mouse in Mob Cap 1902

Beatrix Potter made this watercolor and ink drawing of a mouse dressed in human clothing, sometime around the turn of the 20th century in England. Potter’s anthropomorphic animal characters were not just cute, they were social commentary. She often depicted them in the trappings of middle-class Victorian society. Here, the mouse wears a frilly mob cap and holds a mirror, suggesting vanity and domesticity, perhaps poking fun at the expectations placed on women in that era. Another mouse peers from under an elaborate coverlet, indicating a hidden world of complex social structures. Potter was an astute observer of nature and social dynamics. Her books and illustrations reflect both her scientific interests and her critical view of Victorian society. By studying things like children's literature, social history, and even the changing roles of women, we can better understand how Potter used her art to reflect on the world around her.