So today began with a lecture on William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, who reacted against the Industrial Revolution and instead looked back upon the Mediaeval era and artwork with an idealistic view. They particularly valued the fine craftsmanship of printing and the imagery reminiscent of the chivalric themed stained glass, they were usually flat, claustrophobic compositions with vivid colours such as red, blue, green, gold etc.
Back to Morris (1834-96) designer, artist, writer, linguist, printer and found member of the Arts & Crafts movement which fought against the dehumanising of industry machines. Advertisements throughout the industrial period in England dominated streets so much so that they were not thought as a form of art purely a way of communicating. The machines used in printing had a collection of exotic typefaces but with a limited number of characters so a mixed use of fonts were used. The semi-literate generation of the working people were the aimed audience so significant words or phrases were picked out by the use of bold and size.
Although Morris valued the honest hand crafted art, the movement focused on celebrating good design in all aspects from household objects, interior and architecture. These were typically exquisite designs with rich textures and densely decorated floral wallpaper, which only the rich elite could afford.
In comparison to the Renaissance, Pre-Raphaelite imagery is very flat. The paintings during the Renaissance period creating an escape and allowed the viewer to exit the scene by travelling further into the perspective. Recently I bought a book on the subject which reveals the artists behind the architecture and paintings inspired during the period, this lecture has deepened my understanding of that time period. A personal on-going passion of mine as a fascinator of the distinguished detail in architecture and realism painting has only grown.
Back to Morris (1834-96) designer, artist, writer, linguist, printer and found member of the Arts & Crafts movement which fought against the dehumanising of industry machines. Advertisements throughout the industrial period in England dominated streets so much so that they were not thought as a form of art purely a way of communicating. The machines used in printing had a collection of exotic typefaces but with a limited number of characters so a mixed use of fonts were used. The semi-literate generation of the working people were the aimed audience so significant words or phrases were picked out by the use of bold and size.
Although Morris valued the honest hand crafted art, the movement focused on celebrating good design in all aspects from household objects, interior and architecture. These were typically exquisite designs with rich textures and densely decorated floral wallpaper, which only the rich elite could afford.
So why would a working man, adamant on being against the capitalism of the Industrial Revolution and avowed socialist, end up producing work that only the rich elite could afford?
The freedom and leisure to do what he wanted created by his well-off life?
The changing times and audience of the era, the makers? or the users?
Other important events of today will be posted shortly.
NAP x
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