Artwork Page for Honeysuckle

Details / Information for Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle

Early 20th century
designer

William Morris

(British, 1834–1896)
Culture
England, Early 20th century
Medium
plain weave linen, printed
Measurements
Overall: 87 x 90.5 cm (34 1/4 x 35 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Henry Chisholm 1937.697
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

William Morris’s daughter May called Honeysuckle “the most truly Morrisian in character of all his pattern-making . . . the most mysterious and poetic—the very symbol of a garden tangle.” Like many Morris textiles from this period, Honeysuckle has a mirrored pattern. At 29 3/4 inches high and 34 3/4 inches wide, this repeat was unusually broad, spanning almost the entire width of the loom. Morris believed that large patterns were more restful to the eye than small patterns, even when used to decorate modestly sized rooms. Designs from this period are a testament to the delight he took in his garden at Kelmscott Manor; he favored the charm of native English flowers above exotic specimens.
A square linen textile features a mirrored, muted pink and blue floral pattern extending from a central, furled, pink leaves of a flower from which thick, pink with green leaf vines extend in an arcing "X," dividing the textile into four parts. Above and below, pairs of the central flower unfurl. Left and right, small honeysuckle buds gather in a pinwheel-like shape, surrounded by smaller vines and leaves. A solid, leafy blue ground provides a background.

Honeysuckle

Early 20th century

William Morris

(British, 1834–1896)
England, Early 20th century

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