Wednesday, 30 March 2016

William Morris Gallery



William Morris,the designer, was born in Walthamstow in 1834 and lived in this house as a teenager.
Coming from a wealthy family, they were not pleased by his choice of artist as a career rather than clergyman. The house is now the William Morris Gallery and tells the story of his life as well as displaying examples of his work.


Many of his designs have survived and are still printed today on fabrics and wallpaper. This is the design for a printed textile. you can see where Morris has made alterations and lines have been rubbed out. Morris drew, revised and finally coloured a pattern on one sheet of paper believing that a harmonious piece of work should be done in one attempt.
















A rose trellis inspired this design, his first ever wallpaper.



















 In 1880 this design was used to decorate The Grand Staircase at St James's Palace.










It was another of Morris's designs on silk damask that upholstered George V's coronation throne. The photograph of the throne was used in the Morris and Co catalogue.  The Royal connection made a good publicity coup.
















Many of his printing blocks were displayed in this room.

                                          His daffodil pattern printing block.


















At the back of the house there is a public park.



The house was built in 1740 for a wealthy merchant. It was known as Water House as it had a moat. After the Morris family left this house it was bought by Edward Lloyd, a successful publisher, in 1857.. The family eventually gifted the house and estate to the council for a public park to be created. It opened to the public on 28th July 1900 and is known as Lloyd Park in his honour.



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8 comments:

  1. Linda W.30 March 2016 at 19:40

    What a talented man! Good that his artwork has been saved for all to enjoy.

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  2. Anonymous30 March 2016 at 23:58

    Some of his designs I like but generally they are not my thing. However, it is good that there is a museum and his work his shown to those who appreciate it.

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  3. Cynthia31 March 2016 at 00:01

    I like looking at his designs but I wouldn't want them on my walls. Too busy! Well, maybe if I had a palace . . . .

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  4. Stephanie31 March 2016 at 03:51

    I do like some of his designs.

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  5. LOLfromPasa31 March 2016 at 10:34

    The designs are so beautiful. Great that his place has been made into such an interesting gallery.

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  6. diane b1 April 2016 at 07:30

    His designs are beautiful. An interesting history of the house. It is great to be kept as a museum for Morris's work.

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  7. Sallie (FullTime-Life)1 April 2016 at 20:00

    I actually like this type of design, but our homes are too small for them. Maybe a framed original panel ...LOL, wonder how much that would cost? More than my houses did no doubt.

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  8. Terra 12 April 2016 at 00:15

    I like Morris and his artistic and practical vision. How great you visited this home where he lived as a teenager and that is now The William Morris Gallery.

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