The Mice Hear Simpkin Outside 1902

Beatrix Potter made this illustration of mice with watercolour and ink, and it's the kind of image that makes you want to climb right in. The marks are delicate, capturing the soft texture of fur, the way light flickers on wood, and the nervous energy of these little creatures. You can almost hear their tiny squeaks. Look at the mouse holding the candle; the way she's rendered the flickering light feels so immediate, almost tangible. The colours are muted, mostly browns and greys, which makes the pinks and blues of the discarded garments in the bottom left corner all the more enticing. Potter has a real knack for capturing the inner lives of animals, and in that, she reminds me of a painter like Paula Rego. Both artists understand that the best stories are often found in the unexpected details and ambiguous moments. It's like she's saying, "Here's a glimpse, but the rest is up to you."