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William Morris: The Father of the Arts and Crafts Movement with Hattie Bennett

William Morris: The Father of the Arts and Crafts Movement with Hattie Bennett


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William Morris was the most famous designer in 19th century Britain. Often celebrated as the father of the Arts and Crafts movement, his dislike of manufactured products prompted a return to artisan procedures using local and organic materials. This conversation will seek to unveil just who this polymath was as we trace his life and look to his legacy in the art world today.
Morris mastered each craft so he could understand the technical process of creation, resulting in furniture and interiors designed with an understanding of the form and function of each object within a united aesthetic. For Morris, the process of the creation of his products was as necessary as the finished object, and he strove to create a comfortable working environment for his employees at a time when many workers were working in challenging conditions.
In this conversation, we will trace Morris's biography. We will begin by looking at his early influences and his life-long friendship with the artist Edward Burne-Jones. Next, we’ll explore his relationship with Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the great Pre-Raphaelite painter and with the beautiful Jane Burden, his wife with whom he had a troubled marriage. We will look at projects for the V&A Museum, the Church of England, and his establishment of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. We’ll also leave some time to address his political interests. He died in 1896, his doctor remarking that the probable cause was 'simply being William Morris and having done more work than most ten men.’
Led by an expert on British Art, Hattie Bennett, this interactive seminar will explore William Morris and the development of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with increased knowledge to the ethos of the Arts and Crafts movement and the life of William Morris.

Hattie has a degree in History of Art and an MA in Historic Interiors, she has a life-long passion and fascination in Fine and Decorative Arts, particularly works produced in Europe from the 16th to 18th century. After working for the Royal Collection in the Print Room at Windsor Castle, she was a curator for a private collector of 17th and 18th century prints and drawings. Hattie has worked for London's foremost framer of important old master paintings during which time she sharpened her appreciation and understanding of the decorative arts and the changing tastes of collecting. Recently she has been dealing in prints and works of art as well as taking groups of all ages to museums and galleries.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
73%
(8)
9%
(1)
9%
(1)
9%
(1)
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T
Thelma OGrady (Vancouver, CA)

Really fantastic and thorough!

N
N. (Victoria, CA)
Wonderful

Ms. Bennett does a superb job of bringing William Morris to life.

M
M. (Silver Spring, US)
Morris, well presented

Morris was so prolific, with a fascinating life. Hattie did a stellar job of unveiling his personality and his design contributions. Those in Morris' circle, too, were studied in context.

L
L.C. (Arlington, US)

Guest did not leave comment

J
Jo (Pittsburgh, US)
A Jack and Master of All Trades

Though I was familiar with Morris' distinctive wallpaper designs and furniture style, I knew little about the man himself. This seminar gave me a firm footing to spring board off into further studies. Ms Bennett gives amble information to understand Morris' influences and times. I very much appreciated all the visuals that accompanied the talk.

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
73%
(8)
9%
(1)
9%
(1)
9%
(1)
0%
(0)
T
Thelma OGrady (Vancouver, CA)

Really fantastic and thorough!

N
N. (Victoria, CA)
Wonderful

Ms. Bennett does a superb job of bringing William Morris to life.

M
M. (Silver Spring, US)
Morris, well presented

Morris was so prolific, with a fascinating life. Hattie did a stellar job of unveiling his personality and his design contributions. Those in Morris' circle, too, were studied in context.

L
L.C. (Arlington, US)

Guest did not leave comment

J
Jo (Pittsburgh, US)
A Jack and Master of All Trades

Though I was familiar with Morris' distinctive wallpaper designs and furniture style, I knew little about the man himself. This seminar gave me a firm footing to spring board off into further studies. Ms Bennett gives amble information to understand Morris' influences and times. I very much appreciated all the visuals that accompanied the talk.