William Morris (1834-1896) is known the world over as an iconic designer of fabrics, wallpapers, stained glass, and more. He championed the idea of handmade furniture, tapestries, and patterns in the face of the industrial trend. Morris was also an artist, poet, writer, and social activist.
As a main contributor to the Art Nouveau Arts & Crafts Movement, he aimed to transform Victorian taste from a perceived decline and reclaim the quality of medieval artistry.
Morris had a preference for the Italian art of the 1400s. He appreciated the complexities, details, and intense colors the style embraced. In 1862, he created his first design called ‘Trellis’ while he lived at Upton, Bexley in the Red House.
Morris based his patterns on plants and animals and took inspiration from the indigenous British countryside. As he tended his garden, he observed the natural design and feel of the flora and drew creativity for his designs. By the 1870s, his designs matured, giving birth to some of Morris’ most famous works.
Designers today use many of Morris’ patterns when creating blankets, mugs, and other items. Among Morris’ notable designs are:
- Marigold (1875)
- Honeysuckle (1876)
- Brer Rabbit (1882)
- Strawberry Thief (1883)
Strawberry Thief is Morris’ depiction of birds stealing fruit from his garden in West Oxfordshire. The printing method used for this pattern was complex and was the first successful use of discharge printing in Morris’ design. This motif was high-priced because of the complexities involved; however, his customers willingly paid for the quality they desired.
A collage of some of Morris’ patterns is set to music in the following video.✿
