Arts and Crafts Movement

Arts and Crafts Movement

The Arts and Crafts Movement was an international movement in the decorative and fine arts that began in Britain and flourished in Europe and North America between about 1880 and 1920, emerging in Japan in the 1920s. It stood for traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often applied medieval, romantic, or folk styles of decoration. It advocated economic and social reform and was essentially anti-industrial.

Origins

The movement developed first and most fully in the British Isles, and spread across the British Empire and to the rest of Europe and America. It was inspired by the ideas of John Ruskin and William Morris. Ruskin's social criticism and Morris's designs and writings were particularly influential.

Philosophy

The Arts and Crafts Movement was a reaction against the perceived impoverished state of the decorative arts at the time and the conditions in which they were produced. It stood for:

• Traditional craftsmanship
• The use of local materials
• The importance of the individual craftsman
• The integration of art into everyday life

Key Figures

William Morris

William Morris (1834–1896) was a British textile designer, poet, novelist, translator, and socialist activist. He was a major contributor to the revival of traditional British textile arts and methods of production. Morris was a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement.

John Ruskin

John Ruskin (1819–1900) was an English art critic, patron, draughtsman, watercolourist, a prominent social thinker and philanthropist. He wrote on subjects ranging from geology to architecture, myth to ornithology, literature to education, and botany to political economy.

Influence

The Arts and Crafts Movement influenced architecture, domestic design, and the decorative arts, using simple forms and a belief in the value of craftsmanship. It had a profound impact on the design of buildings, furniture, textiles, and other decorative arts.

Legacy

The movement's influence continued into the 20th century, influencing the Art Nouveau movement and the development of modern design. It also laid the groundwork for the Bauhaus movement and the development of modernist architecture.

See Also

• Art Nouveau
• Bauhaus
• John Ruskin
• William Morris

References

• Cumming, Elizabeth. The Arts and Crafts Movement. Thames & Hudson, 1991.
• Naylor, Gillian. The Arts and Crafts Movement: A Study of Its Sources, Ideals, and Influence on Design Theory. MIT Press, 1971.

External Links

• Victoria and Albert Museum: The Arts and Crafts Movement
• Arts and Crafts Museum