July 17 at Sotheby's auction in London for 289 250 pounds was sold to Beatrice Potter watercolors from the book «Christmas Eve in rabbits», setting a price record in the field of book illustration

Yesterday at the New Bond Street in London Sotheby's auction under the title «The English literature, history, children's books and illustration». At the auction set a new record: the well-known watercolor artist and children's writer Beatrix Potter (Beatrix Potter, 1866-1943) went for 289 250 pounds (almost 578 thousand dollars), becoming the most expensive in the history of illustration for the book. The work exceeded estimeyt (40-60 thousand pounds) to five times. They say that it bought a British collector.

This watercolor - an illustration of the product «Christmas Eve at Rabbit». Rabbits were your favorite characters, Beatrice Potter. It is famous because of «The Tale of Peter Rabbit», published in 1902. Now Potter is one of the most famous children's writer, her books were translated into many languages. In 2006, it has the movie «Miss Potter» (Miss Potter), in which the main role performed by a popular actress Renee Zellveger (Renee Zellweger). The book «Christmas Eve at Rabbit» almost no text. Six illustrations for this work are depicted rabbits, merrily celebrate Christmas. According to Philip W. Erringtona (Philip W. Errington), Sotheby's specialist in children's books and illustrations, watercolors sold yesterday was one of the best works of art created by Potter.

Figure comes from the collection of the artist's brother Bertram Potter (Bertram Potter), which includes 20 illustrations, books, unpublished Christmas cards and letters. All collection was presented at yesterday's auction had 748 and 200 pounds (almost 1.5 million dollars). Another work from this collection, to watercolor «The Tale of Peter Rabbit», left over 33 450 pounds (64.86 thousand dollars), exceeding estimeyt (15-20 thousand pounds) in half.

Julia Maksimova

Sources: www.artdaily.org , www.bbc.co.uk , artinvestment.ru