Anarchy & Beauty: William Morris and His Legacy, 1860–1960
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Individual Artists
Anarchy & Beauty: William Morris and His Legacy, 1860–1960 Details
Review “Beautifully produced.”—Maine Antique Digest (Maine Antique Digest) Read more Book Description This beautifully illustrated book portrays the life of an artist and writer who revolutionized Victorian society and whose legacy is still widely embraced today. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
Reviews
Unlike one of the other reviewers who commented about "Anarchy and Beauty," I found this exhibit catalog and companion book fascinating, even though I didn't see the exhibit that was offered at London's National Portrait Gallery (a thoughtful review of the museum show was published at http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/oct/19/anarchy-beauty-william-morris-legacy-review-virtue-of-simplicity). However, I've read other books about William Morris and the British Arts & Crafts Movement, which gave me a good starting point for appreciating the information and illustrations collected in this book.Ms MacCarthy, the author of a 1994 biography of William Morris, and the curator of the exhibit, provides a comprehensive text that doesn't just examine familiar Morris fabrics and furniture designs, but also traces the evolution of Morris' social and political ideas and the impact of these thoughts on other (primarily British) artists and "revolutionaries"-- starting in the late 19th century and continuing throughout the 20th century (plus a two-page Afterword that describes 21st century evidence of Morris' legacy).A short Introduction section offers an initial portrait of Morris as a "visionary" and "true original thinker" who became interested in advancing society while creating memorable artwork (and craftwork) while a student at Oxford. As Morris matured, his student enthusiasms led to his "radical departure from conventional Victorian attitudes" as a craftsman who rejected the new production modes of the industrial age, as a writer of stories like "News From Nowhere," a fantasy novel about a utopian, collaborative version of a future world, and as a dedicated member of the Socialist League and other new political causes.The other chapters of the book describe various paths and passions followed by Morris and others who espoused similar values. The chapters are:1. The Art that is Life: William Morris and the Red House Circle ("Red House" is the home Morris built, decorated, and furnished for himself and his wife, Jane.)2. The Fellowship of the New Life: Sexual Politics and Libertarianism (This chapter explores various "liberation" movements that emerged in Victorian England.)3. Arts and Crafts: The Meaning of the Handmade Object (A look at efforts by Morris and other key contributors to revive beautiful craft work while also improving conditions for craft workers.)4. Cities of the Sun: The Garden City Movement (Examination of late-19th and early-20th century organizations and innovators who paved the way for today's environmental and historic preservation movements.)5. Heavens on Earth: Inter-War Artistic Communities (Traces the impact of Morris' ideas on British artists of the 1920s and 30s.)6. Art for the People: The Festival of Britain (Focuses on perpetuation of Morris' values in British art and design work of the 1940s, 50s, and beyond.)As one would expect in a museum exhibit catalog, the text is generously illustrated with 175 paintings, photographs, and pictures of artifacts. Other supplemental material includes a 5-page "Life in Brief" summary of Morris' personal and professional history, brief biographical sketches of more than 60 key figures (artists, writers, designers, philosophers, political leaders, etc.), and an extensive bibliography of works by and about Morris and others featured in the book.Although I was already familiar with many of the people and some of the work described in this book, "Anarchy and Beauty" deepened my knowledge and respect for William Morris and others who, as the Forword states, shared "a common belief in the improvement of life and work and in the rights of every individual to participate in improving the world."
