The Arts & Crafts Movement
Conceived in England around 1860, the movement began in England, moved to the Americas around 1890, and lasted until the 1920s. At this time, industrialized decorative arts were over-embellished, caused a decline in artistic standards, were poorly made, and kept employees in impoverished home and work conditions.
Arts & Crafts began as a critique of industrialization, believing that art could reshape society to a simple, more fulfilling way of life by a commitment to creating artisan-made products with quality, utilitarian design, and beautiful, natural motifs.
Giants of the Arts & Crafts Movement such as William Morris, C.F.A. Voysey, Gustav Stickley, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh believed that form should be dictated by function, thus redefining modern decorative arts for all time. Such concepts ushered in a new age of utilitarian design with craftsmanship and quality seated at its heart.
The most celebrated design revolution of the twentieth century, Arts & Crafts, is the precursor and inspiration to a myriad of styles and architectural genius. It has influenced Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Prairie Style, Mission Style, and Mid-Century Modern.
The concepts of the Movement are more relevant now than ever. Heritage, fine craftsmanship, quality, and natural inspirations have once again moved to the forefront of design, in step with a world that values purpose and our planet like never before.
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