After Class- Arts & Crafts Movement

Today in class we listened to a presentation on the arts and crafts movement of the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The presentation was a good overview of the chapter but also included some facts about the movement that were not mentioned in the book. For example we went over Robert Owen, and his role as a philosopher for the movement. Owen promoted the connection between morality and the environment, and was always searching for ways to better the lifestyle of the people that worked in the factory all day. Because of people like Owen and there desire to better society, the middle class began to grow as the living conditions became healthier.

Along with the social reform during this period, art and design also went through changes. William Morris is explained as the leader of the design renaissance for the arts and crafts movement. Him along with other designers, architects, printers brought back this sense of artistry and attention to hand-made details. These people took art away from just the painted and sculpted form and gave notice to all aspects of design as being considered art. For example Morris and his friend Phillip Webb designed Morris' house called the Red House. It was considered more of a poem then a home and gave architecture this new identity.

Morris influenced one of the more important art groups that was formed during the arts and crafts movement. They were called the Century Guild and they were responsible for spreading ideas that were common to Morris'. Arthur H. Mackmurdo is considered the founder of the guild and one of the guild more influential pieces was called the Hobby Horse. The hobby horse was the first magazine of its time that was devoted to the arts, and the arts only. It was because of this magazine that the public in Europe began to view print making and other aspects of design as art forms.