| Artist: | Morris, William |
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|---|---|---|
| Title of Work: | Pomona Tapestry | |
| Date of Work: | 1885 | |
| Nationality: | English | |
| Context: | The Turn of the Century | |
| Movement: | Arts & Crafts Movement | |
| Medium: | Tapestry | |
| Figure by Burne-Jones; background by Morris Inspired by the Middle Ages Subject: Pomona, goddess of fruit trees, is depicted among nature in a historical style that recalls Medieval tapestries. Style: a strange mix of an allegorical, historical figure with a highly stylized, swirling pattern of rhythmic forms that make up the flwering backdrop. Nature is becoming abstracted into flowing lines here, but the classical figure still holds center place. Context: William Morris is the founder and key spokesperson for the Arts and Crafts Movement that occurs in turn of the century England. Sought a unification of all the arts and crafts; brought about important reforms in architecture, interior design, wallpapers, and typography. Belived art should be beautiful and useful. They felt an ethical, moral obligation to reconcile art and society through honest design and production; they were reacting against the Industrial Revolution, which they felt had led to a cheapening of quality through factory-made production. They turned away from the Machine Age, thus, and looked back to the Middle Ages for inspiration; instead of modern technology, they modeled themselves on the communal efforts of Medieval guilds. This tapestry is an example of a communal effort between Morris and the Pre-Raphaelite painter, Burne-Jones, who designed the figure. | ||
