Art and Crafts Movement

Arts and Crafts Movement (1870-1910)

At this time it was very industrial and sexist and unequal in class and wealth. This movement wanted skilled work, such as furniture and wallpaper, to be made by hand as it was believed that all skills were being lost due to machines replacing workers. By hand making everything, it meant that even a copy would be unique.

Goods were being made by machines:

Positives    

 -Produced more than people 

 -Doesn’t get tired or injured   

 -Less workers involved   

 -Cheaper goods                       

 -Quicker, more efficient, more precise  

Negatives

 -Loss of jobs

 -Less Production= Less money

 -Health and safety

 -Can break and be expensive to replace

 -Loss of skills

Influences

     Pre Raphaelites

     Looked back in time

-  Medieval

-  Gothic

To create their work they would make it by hand but look back in time, mix different traditions and include modern elements too.

At this time Britain had an empire so new materials like cotton and styles like Japanese would be brought back. They wanted to be the top country in the world so wanted to produce the most goods.

Germany and Austria were training their artists. They liked handmade stuff but also included factory produced work. Due to them using both, they got ahead of Britain which resulted in them trying to out produce each other.

As a result of the Arts and Crafts Movement, it was recognised that the skills were dying out which meant it changed education, as these skills began being taught.

William Morris

Morris created handmade wallpapers as he was against the factories because people were quickly losing their skills.

“I do not want Art for a few any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few.”

       - Equality of class, opportunity, wealth

       - Tradition

       - Art is as important as education and freedom

He had radical ideas- Somebody of upper-class to have them views was surprising. He was quite political, so not very popular as his views clashed with the art establishment. He was challenging society and poor people couldn’t afford his work.

Utopian- Idealisation

William Morris wanted the poor to have art as everyone should be allowed nice things in their home, but they can’t afford it. Germany produced some by machines which meant it was cheaper and everyone could afford it.