Helen Beatrix Potter: Simpkin Housekeeping | Custom Prints | Tate Shop

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Helen Beatrix Potter

Simpkin Housekeeping, c.1902

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About the artwork

Simpkin Housekeeping shows the tailor of Gloucester’s cat catching mice in mousetraps and upturned teacups. Later in the story, the tailor will find and release them, leading to Simpkin’s unfaithful act of hiding the ‘cherry coloured twist’ the tailor needs for making the mayor’s wedding coat. Throughout the story, Potter alternates between lifelike and exaggerated depictions of the cat – sometimes shown on two legs, wearing a coat and carrying a pipkin of milk, and other times as a naturalistic cat, such as here.

Abstract Art

Artist Helen Beatrix Potter
Artwork Simpkin Housekeeping
Date of work c.1902
Credit Original: Ink, watercolour and gouache on paper 11.1 x 9.2 cm Tate. Presented by Capt. K. W. G Duke RN 1946

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Helen Beatrix Potter (1866 –1943) was a British writer, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist. Potter's study and watercolours of fungi led to her being widely respected in the field of mycology, but she is best known for the successful series of children's books the wrote and illustrated, including The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tailor of Gloucester and The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin. 22 of her illustrations for The Tailor of Gloucester form part of Tate’s collection, and can be viewed by appointment in Tate Britain’s Prints and Drawings Room.

DELIVERIES AND RETURNS

Delivery times

We aim to deliver custom prints within 2-4 weeks. As each print is handmade to order they take a little longer to prepare. We’ll dispatch your order as soon as it is ready, separately from any other items.

We currently offer free standard delivery on all UK orders over £60. Here’s more information on delivery.

Refunds and returns

As custom prints are made to order, unfortunately we cannot accept returns if you have changed your mind or made a mistake. If we have made a mistake, or there is a problem with your order, then please contact our customer service team at shop@tate.org.uk.

Here’s more information on refunds & returns.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will my order be delivered?

We aim to deliver your made-to-order custom print within 1-2 weeks for UK orders, and within 2-4 weeks for international delivery. You can see an estimated delivery date on the product page, on the green banner above the size and frame options.

Our custom prints are produced and shipped directly from our print workshop and arrive separately to all other items. You can learn more about delivery here.

I've made a mistake, can I amend my order?

The best thing to do is email us as soon as possible at shop@tate.org.uk or call us on +44 (0)207 887 8888 with your order number, ideally within 24 hours. Please note that as custom prints are made to order, if production has already started, we won’t be able to make any amendments to the print itself, but we can change your delivery name and address if the order has not been dispatched yet.

I've changed my mind, can I cancel my order?

As custom prints are made to order, unfortunately you can’t cancel your order after production has started (typically within 24 hours). If you get in touch with us within 24 hours, our team will check on the status of your order and do whatever they can to help you out.

Can I return my print?

Because our prints and frames are made to order, custom prints can only be returned if they’re faulty or we’ve made a mistake. If this is the case, please contact us straight away with details and images of the problem, so we can arrange for a refund or replacement for you. You can find further information regarding refunds and returns here.

About Our Prints

Our custom prints are high-quality, made-to-order fine art print reproductions of Tate collection and exhibition artworks. Available in a choice of sizes and hand-made frames, they’re created using state of the art technology and sustainably sourced materials by our Sussex-based print specialists.