William Moriss
1834-1896
William Morris is a cult designer in the English art world. He was a multi-faceted man of amazing energy, a revolutionary designer, a poet, weaver, embroiderer, businessman, calligrapher, manufacturer of furniture, stained glass, tapestries, wallpaper , chintzes and an active socialist. Born at Walthamstow in a wealthy family he was educated in the most exclusive English Schools ( Malborough, Exeter College Oxford). At Oxford where he studied theology, he founded a secret society " The Brotherhood" with Edward Burne Johnes and Dante Gabriel Rosetti. Their idea was to rebell against the Royal Academy , the Mannerist and conservative art. They thought that Raphael style ( Hence the name Pre-Raphaelites) had been a corrupting influence on the teaching of art in England. At the same time he developped love for the Middle Ages. In 1855 he visited the gothic cathedrals of the north of France with Burnes-Jones. Romantic Medievalism informs Morris's arts and crafts work and the books from his Kelmscott Press.
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Rose and Thistle 1883 |
Tulip and Willows 1873 |
Windrush 1881 |
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Tulip and Roses 1876 |
Windrush 1881 |
Willow - Boughs 1887 |
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Willow - Boughs 1887 |
Strawberry Thief 1883 |
Medway 1885 |
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Lodden 1884 |
Pink and Roses 1893 |
Lodden 1884 |
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Snake head 1876 |
Jasmine 1872 |
Honey Suckle 1883 |
Further Readings
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