William Morris and his art
William Morris (Walthamstow, London, 1834–1896) is a reference point for all who cherish beauty, design, and artisanal traditions. He laid the foundations for the Arts and Crafts revival, advocating for an aesthetic rooted in individualism.
For ÁBBATTE, he is a constant source of inspiration, not only because he revived the spirit of medieval arts and crafts, but above all because of his love for handmade textiles. He created rugs, cushions, upholstery fabrics, and tapestries, always using rich materials such as wool, silk, and linen. Colour was of great importance to him, and he achieved subtle tones using natural dyes—from indigo, madder, walnut, and many other plants.
With these colours, he created the famous "Morris chintzes", widely used in the upholstery of Victorian homes.
Morris had a deep and passionate love for natural beauty. He firmly rejected ostentation, dullness, excess, and poor taste. He proclaimed, "What is not rooted in nature can hardly be beautiful." He was a devoted admirer of simple lines and forms.
His creative dedication extended to many fields, he published books as he envisioned them, using handmade paper and even designing his typeface. He founded the Kelmscott Press, which went on to inspire many other printing houses. He was also a visionary urban planner and a strong advocate for the preservation of old buildings without altering their essence.
Morris was also a successful entrepreneur. He founded the Arts & Crafts company, which designed all kinds of decorative elements, from stained glass and embroidery to tiles and textiles. He received numerous private commissions, including two major ones: the tapestry room at St. James’s Palace and the Green Dining Room at South Kensington.
Another notable facet of his creative genius was his lifelong dedication to poetry. And finally, Morris was a fierce critic of 19th-century British society, becoming an influential social agitator.
All of this reveals the incredible energy and creative breadth of Morris, whose legacy continues today through the William Morris Society.
Text: María Olmos Mochales