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International Arts and Crafts
International Arts and Crafts is a celebration of the design movement that started in Britain and spread throughout the world at the end of the nineteenth century. Depicting both well-known and unusual artifacts from this most fascinating of eras, this provides a wealth of information about the lives and times of the designers, artchitects and artists who figured prominently in the movement. This book is an indispensable resource for collectors, artists and artisans and everyone with an eye for art and beauty.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 24, 2014
The Arts and Crafts movement seemed to be an off shoot from
the Pre-Raphaelites. When John Ruskin had promoted and supported
those young artists as much as he could he turned his social
reforming skills to lectures and night schools where he could
bring the basic skills and craftsmanship to workers who wanted
hobbies, extra skills or just to better themselves (see also
George Gissing's "Thyzra"). Ruskin was rebelling against the
machine age and felt that only hand crafted workmanship could
lift declining standards.
Michael Robinson, in yet another informative chunky little book,
explains how the Arts and Crafts movement by the 1890s was
international and not just limited to Britain or William Morris.
In 1851, the year of the Crystal Palace Exhibition where jewelry
and design from the Industrial age was put on display, many
people viewing the works were appalled at the poor taste at what
was the height of Victorian over-ornamentation. He also shows how
important the Arts and Crafts movement was to America with the
"Home Beautiful" journal being one of the first American advocates,
also there is a small section on Frank Lloyd Wright.
Some absolutely gorgeous photos and fascinating stories - like the
beautiful Arab Hall in Lord Leighton's specially designed house.
He toured Cairo and Damascus and secured a large collection of
16th and 17th tiles which he bought back to England and commissioned
designers Walter Crane and William DeMorgan to create an archway
as well as copying tiles that had been broken in transit - apparently
they are almost impossible to tell from the originals!!
There are also samples of wallpaper, furnishing fabrics, tablecloths,
carpets and bookcovers designed by William Morris. His firm at
Red Lion Square and also at his home, "Red House" in Kent, was a
family affair with his wife Janey, their daughters and close
friends, ie Edward Burne-Jones and his wife and children, all given
positions and important tasks in the firm. It was still Victorian
times however and women were not expected to do any of the important
tasks - even very special needlework was left to the men. It was
only later, in 1907, that May Morris founded the Women's Art Guild
but it was almost at the end of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Morris'
belief with the movement was that he wanted to bring stylish crafts
to the working class but unfortunately that didn't happen, the
products being too specialized and individual to be produced for
the mass market.
Among the beautiful pictures are Charles Ashbee's brooches of little
boats with opal for the sails and jade for the water, a William
Morris gold locket designed for enclosing a lock of hair (so
important to Victorian families). There are architect designers as
well - like Mackay Hugh Baillie-Scott whose rooms were light, airy
and very modernistic, he was the first person to open up halls so
they could become "meet and greets" and very family friendly. In
America there was Gustave Stickley whose room designs were angular
and very simple.
The World's Greatest Art series is just super - with a photo on
each consecutive page and not a huge amount to read (the very
small print is a big minus) - it is a great beginning to learning
about the unique arts and crafts movement.
the Pre-Raphaelites. When John Ruskin had promoted and supported
those young artists as much as he could he turned his social
reforming skills to lectures and night schools where he could
bring the basic skills and craftsmanship to workers who wanted
hobbies, extra skills or just to better themselves (see also
George Gissing's "Thyzra"). Ruskin was rebelling against the
machine age and felt that only hand crafted workmanship could
lift declining standards.
Michael Robinson, in yet another informative chunky little book,
explains how the Arts and Crafts movement by the 1890s was
international and not just limited to Britain or William Morris.
In 1851, the year of the Crystal Palace Exhibition where jewelry
and design from the Industrial age was put on display, many
people viewing the works were appalled at the poor taste at what
was the height of Victorian over-ornamentation. He also shows how
important the Arts and Crafts movement was to America with the
"Home Beautiful" journal being one of the first American advocates,
also there is a small section on Frank Lloyd Wright.
Some absolutely gorgeous photos and fascinating stories - like the
beautiful Arab Hall in Lord Leighton's specially designed house.
He toured Cairo and Damascus and secured a large collection of
16th and 17th tiles which he bought back to England and commissioned
designers Walter Crane and William DeMorgan to create an archway
as well as copying tiles that had been broken in transit - apparently
they are almost impossible to tell from the originals!!
There are also samples of wallpaper, furnishing fabrics, tablecloths,
carpets and bookcovers designed by William Morris. His firm at
Red Lion Square and also at his home, "Red House" in Kent, was a
family affair with his wife Janey, their daughters and close
friends, ie Edward Burne-Jones and his wife and children, all given
positions and important tasks in the firm. It was still Victorian
times however and women were not expected to do any of the important
tasks - even very special needlework was left to the men. It was
only later, in 1907, that May Morris founded the Women's Art Guild
but it was almost at the end of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Morris'
belief with the movement was that he wanted to bring stylish crafts
to the working class but unfortunately that didn't happen, the
products being too specialized and individual to be produced for
the mass market.
Among the beautiful pictures are Charles Ashbee's brooches of little
boats with opal for the sails and jade for the water, a William
Morris gold locket designed for enclosing a lock of hair (so
important to Victorian families). There are architect designers as
well - like Mackay Hugh Baillie-Scott whose rooms were light, airy
and very modernistic, he was the first person to open up halls so
they could become "meet and greets" and very family friendly. In
America there was Gustave Stickley whose room designs were angular
and very simple.
The World's Greatest Art series is just super - with a photo on
each consecutive page and not a huge amount to read (the very
small print is a big minus) - it is a great beginning to learning
about the unique arts and crafts movement.
June 20, 2009
it was such a treat to find this @ my favourite used bookstore. i was looking for a nice compact volume on the genius of the arts & crafts movement & this is that exact treasure box.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews