William Maurice as the brainchild of the arts and crafts movement
The creative development of Morris’ mastery begins with the study of architecture from George Edmund Street, which during this period had a very big name in the area. But painting absorbs the artist and soon becomes a major manifestation of his creative potential. On his journey to the art of William Morris, he directed an introduction to the works of pre-Raphaelites. An admiration for the direction that denies the conventions and academicism of English poetry and painting, prompted a special view of William Morris on aesthetics and art.
William Morris embarks on the path of reviving the harmony of nature, man and art, drawing on John Ruskin’s philosophical tracts. The statement of art historians that the objects surrounding society testify to his moral condition led Morris to heal the “crippled” generation in this regard by the industrial revolution. In his view, only handicrafts, which filled the living environment with beautiful handmade objects, can serve as leadership. Therefore, the artist’s image is transferred from the canvas to the interior: to ceramics, fabrics, wood, metal and other materials.
William Morris elevated the high rank of creator to the combined image of technologist, designer, and artist as he really was. William Morris becomes the first contemporary designer in England. He draws sketches of prints, drawing inspiration from nature, transferring decorations to wallpaper, tapestries, furniture, ceramic tiles, stained glass, and even books, combining everything into an integral interior. William Morris worked closely with Philip Speakman Webb, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Elizabeth Eleanor Siddal, Edward Burne-Jones and other artists and architects to create his creations.
In 1861 William Morris founded Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. for the production of home furniture and finishes. For almost a century, the company has maintained the status of Europe’s leading factory in the field of arts and crafts. Handwork, natural materials, the naturalness of composition become the three pillars on which the company’s manufacturing process rests. In addition, the company operates as a kind of school for artists and craftsmen. This helps to spread the ideas of the Arts and Crafts movement and to create new creative associations led by Morris followers, including in other countries.
The influence of the Arts and Crafts movement on the art of ceramics
By that time, ceramics had been declining in Europe. Pedestal-climbing porcelain has almost completely absorbed the oldest technologies for making clay products. The decorative ceramic lining goes into oblivion, replacing unique handicrafts with impersonal stamping of porcelain and earthenware. In one way, the products get colorful décor, separating from the already prized whiteness and fragility. The deep connection and harmony of material and form, essence and artistic image were lost.
William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement revive the value of handmade ceramics. Natural material meets all the demands of the creative movement and finds a second life in its strongest artistic embodiment in English homes. Inside, artist and designer tiles reappear on fireplaces and in decoration, ceramic decors and hand-painted pots. Most of the decorative pottery for William Morris designs is by William Friend de Morgan.