|
||
William Morris is one of the most famous textiles designers in the world. His background prints are intricate and enticing--you could stare into them for hours and keep seeing new patterns emerge. His work is fascinating and so was his life and education. William Morris tapestries are rich, vibrant, and a joy to own.
Most of his works were actually designed by several people: Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co., later shortened to Morris & Co. The "Firm" as it was called in its heyday, was famous for its beautiful stained glass designs which can be found through Europe and Great Britain in manor homes, churches, and schools. William Morris also collaborated with Edward Burne-Jones to create some of the most famous and desired tapestries in the world. One of the most beautiful tapestry wall hangings they created is the Arming and Departure of the Knights, also called The Holy Grail. Morris was fascinated with the Quest for the Holy Grail and Christianity. He was originally going to join the Church, but he became enchanted with literature and art by reading John Ruskin and Carlyle.
One of his most famous tapestries is The Tree of Life wall hanging . He created a magnificent background of intertwined leaves and branches to create this stunning masterpiece. He also created the Orange Tree tapestry, also a popular piece because is represents so much, yet is so quaint and precise that it appeals to many art lovers.
In addition to designing tapestries William Morris was also a prolific writer. He wrote poetry and prose, essays on art and society, politics, and nature. He was a lover of literature, especially from the ancient Greeks and Romans right up through the Middle Ages. He was highly influenced by the ancient Greek poet, Ovid, which can be seen in his poem, "The Woodpecker". Morris read Ovid's Metamorphoses and expanded on Ovid's verse about King Picus. King Picus was transformed into a woodpecker by Circe, so she could keep him in her forests forever. William Morris expanded this verse into a lyrical poem. He then created a beautiful tapestry wall hanging called The Woodpecker. The design shows poor King Picus as the woodpecker and with his daughter's favorite verse from the poem. He even let his daughter embroider the verse on the original design.
In his fascination with the Middle Ages, he created gorgeous medieval design tapestries from tales and legends. William Morris was an early womens' rights activists, which can be seen in his poetry and in his portrayals of women in his wall hanging designs. He wrote a poem called, "In the Defense of Guinevere", which was hailed by women throughout Europe and Great Britain as magnificent and brilliant. He also designed two tapestries of legendary women he admired. His tapestry entitled Flora depicted all of nature being found in the feminine--essentially, Mother Earth. His wall hanging called Pomona illustrated the Goddess of Autumn from the his poem entitled "Pomona". He drew his inspiration from women and from nature.
William Morris also created designs that were later made into wall tapestries, though the designs were originally from different mediums. The Minstrel tapestry wallhanging was originally a design in stained glass, created by Morris for the Church. The Grouse tapestry and the Pheasant tapestry hanging were originally wood carvings.
Poet, political activist, artist, dreamer--William Morris was many things, but most of all he was the reviver of tapestry weaving as an art. He made tapestries brilliant and exciting and he made them available to a larger audience. William Morris saved the art of tapestry weaving that was slowly decaying and fading away. We can still buy tapestry wall hangings today because of his innovative ideas and remarkable skill.