Artist profile

William Morris

1834–1896 • Walthamstow, England

Portrait of William Morris
Portrait source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
Detail from a portrait of William Morris
Detail crop from the same portrait.

Morris treated design as a way of living, bringing craft and beauty into everyday spaces.

Life and context

Morris treated design as a way of living, bringing craft and beauty into everyday spaces.

Style and intention

Dense natural patterns, balanced repetition, and organic rhythm.

Contributions and techniques

Championed the Arts and Crafts movement and the value of handmade design.

Textile printing, pattern design, and careful observation of nature.

Key works in Explainary

Associated movements