The History of the Arts & Crafts Movement in the UK

1. 1 Introduction: Art is for Everyone, Not Just the Elite

This first lesson will give you a solid foundation in the Arts & Crafts Movement both in terms of the social context as well as the key figures who defined it. Tony will navigate you through some of the key designers and architects, how they looked to the past for inspiration for the future, from medieval styles, to the Italian Renaissance, of India and Japan and the Islamic world. This foundation will serve you well to instantly recognise original items from the Arts and Crafts Movement with their clean lines and functional forms, truth to materials and the use of nature as the source for all patterns.

2. 2 The Gothic Revival

In this lesson you will get under the skin of the key influencers at the start of the Movement and their deep motivations. Starting with the great architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, a fanatical tireless designer who pioneered the concept that an artist should seek out the convenient form and then decorate it, a principle that was devoured by the new Arts and Crafts architects and designers some forty years later. You will move on to study John Ruskin an equally critical figure in the Movement, not only as a talented artist and draughtsman but also for his social thinking. Lastly we will focus on William Morris a key supporter of ‘Art for the people’ whose intricate designs, and time engulfing tapestries were sought after pieces and unique of the time.

3. 3 The Anglo-Japanese Movement

The opening up of Japan in the 1860's brought with it a fashion of all things Japanese which swept across Great Britain and Europe, a movement pioneered by Edward William Godwin 'the master of the modern movement'. You will come to identify his principles in design and then move on to explore the life and signature style of Voysey. Next up, a British designer and architect, Asbhee who believed the interior of a house should work in harmony with it’s architecture. Lastly Tony will take you on a journey with Arthur Lasenby Liberty, from his humble beginnings to building the international reputation of Liberty’s that still exists today.

4. 4 The Arts & Crafts Movement in Scotland

In this last lesson we will cover the highly influential Scottish Movement. We will look at Mackintosh who was held across Europe as a revolutionary of the time and whose work continues to exist as some of the greatest achievements of design of all time. Delving into George Walton’s unique style you will see why he became so popular. We will finish with a look at Wylie and Lochead, and specifically their three strongest designers Ernest Taylor, George Logan and John Ednie.