The Revolution After the Industrial Revolution
The Arts and Crafts Movements, from 1880 to 1920, was a response to the artistic, moral, and social values and products of the Industrial Revolution. The Arts and Crafts movement favored a return to handcrafted work and natural elements.
Some artists in this movement believed that the Industrial Revolution and the mechanized mass production of work had led society away from humanity and art lacked quality and the attention of an artist.
One of the great influencers of the English Arts and Crafts Movement was William Morris. Meggs and Purvis state, “William Morris is a pivotal figure in the history of design.” Because of the wealth of his family, Morris was able to create work based on his ideas and interests.
This allowed him the time he otherwise wouldn’t have to explore textile designs, establish an art decorating firm, printed materials, poetry, and much more while influencing other artists and making a mark in the art and design world. The purpose and theme of the Arts and Crafts Movement, to return to handcrafted detail-oriented design, was central to Morris as an artist.
All of his wallpapers were carved out of woodblocks, prepped, and printed by hand. His designs were “made by carefully lining up and printing the woodblock motifs again and again into a seamless repeat.”
