William Morris at the V&A Museum

William Morris at the V&A Museum, London

I really enjoyed a short time at the V&A Museum in London, where i came across a whole section dedicated to the work of William Morris, the famous British designer from the 19th century. This incredible museum has regularly featured the artist within various publications and articles and host a good number of items from his career within their permanent collection.

The area afforded to the artist is relatively small, perched in a corner of the third floor, as far as i can remember, but the curators have made a conscious effort to cover as many of the different disciplines in which he was involved within this small area. You will find, as shown in the display photos included below, examples of his work with furniture, carpets, fabric, wallpaper, tiles and stained glass.

Given the nature of the work, as well as the century which has passed since the peak of the Arts and Crafts movement, some of these items have faded in color, but there is still much to appreciate in the incredible work performed by artists such as this. It remains a reminder of the continued attempts by artists and other creative minds to protect society from technological change as much as possible, though others will see these changes as opportunities.

"...A key figure in the Arts & Crafts Movement, Morris championed a principle of handmade production that didn't chime with the Victorian era's focus on industrial 'progress'..." V&A Museum

Exhibition Details

• Title: William Morris at the V&A
• Date: Permanent Gallery Display
• Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
• Price: Free

More about the William Morris Display

It is certainly the Bullerswood Carpet which initially takes your focus as you enter this room, which dominates the display. There are also curtains hanging besides it, with some related artsists included close by, such as William Holman Hunt and Edward Burne-Jones. There is only a small amount of information on the artist here, due to the limitations of a relatively small display, but the V&A have produced several publications on the artist for those looking to learn more.

What is the Morris Room?

Sadly i was unable to visit the Morris Room during my visit, but it is well worth mentioning within this article. Within the V&A Museum there are a number of dining rooms which have been designed by British artists from the 19th century, one of which includes what is now known as the Morris Room. Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. made use of a number its employees to put together the charming decor still found there today.

This would originally be known as the Green Dining Room, and featured examples of Arts and Crafts furniture, wallpaper and stained glass windows, becoming the preferred dining location for a number of its creators. In order to celebrate the achievements of William Morris, the room was later named after him.

Exhibition Photos