This movement was a reaction against the poor quality of design during the industrial revolution that was destroying their traditional skills and craftsmanship. It was one of the most influential movement originated in England during the Art Nouveau period which was then expanded to other regions; America and Europe.
It was led by William Morris and John Ruskin. Ruskin examined the
relationship between art, society and labour then Morris put Ruskin’s theories
into practice.
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| William Morris - Tulip & Willow Textile Pattern, 1873 William Morris - Windrush, 1883 |
In the beginning Morris tended to
create three- dimensional fabric designs. The stylized
flowers and leaves are
drawn at a perspective and shaded to give a certain illusion
effect.
Morris was
inspired from Medieval and Oriental designs, the use of repetitive
forms in
this case flowers helped to create illusion more. In these two designs Morris
used cold and warm colours.
 |
| William Morris - Daffodil Chintz, 1891 William Morris- Strawberry Thief, 1883 |
Further on Morris created
two-dimensional designs. He therefore flattened the
design removing the attempt
to have realistically looking natural forms, such as;
flowers, leaves, birds and more. The emphasis
diverted from the subject to the
importance of colour and line to make the
textile look complex and sophisticated.
Designers Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo
and Charles Voysey where inspired from
William Morris’s designs.
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| A. H. Mackmurdo - Textile Design C. Voysey - Birds Minor |
References:
- David Britt, 2010. Modern Art: Impressionism to Post-Modernism. London. Thames & Hudson.
- The Arts and Crafts Movement. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://char.txa.cornell.edu/art/decart/artcraft/artcraft.htm. [Accessed October 2013].
- William Morris - The Arts and Crafts Movement. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/graphic_designers/william_morris.html. [Accessed October 2013].
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