Artwork Page for Peacock and Dragon

Details / Information for Peacock and Dragon

Peacock and Dragon

1878
designed by

William Morris

(British, 1834–1896)
Culture
England, Surrey, Merton Abbey
Medium
weft-faced compound twill; wool
Measurements
Overall: 206.6 x 174.7 cm (81 5/16 x 68 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Philip White 1953.330
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Morris sought to produce textiles that could function as he imagined medieval wall hangings had, bringing warmth to stone-cold rooms. Boldly designed with soothing colors in thick wool, Peacock and Dragon is the closest Morris came to achieving this ideal. In the same year he designed this textile, Morris visited the shop of the London dealer Vincent Robinson, where he saw a room re-created from Damascus, “all vermillion and gold and ultramarine, very beautiful, and is just like going into the Arabian nights.” It partly inspired the exotic motifs seen here. This design was one of the most popular among Morris’s customers; it was available in five colorways.
A vertically oriented woven wool textile features a symmetrical pattern of mirrored flora and fauna. Pairs of pinkish-tan birds with outspread wings face outward amidst dense, swirling green and tan foliage. Below them, smaller birds with dark-blue heads and vibrant reddish-orange wings point toward the center. This ornate composition repeats across the surface, creating a rhythmic display of stylized nature that blends soft earthy tones with pops of bold, saturated color.

Peacock and Dragon

1878

William Morris

(British, 1834–1896)
England, Surrey, Merton Abbey

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    Shop the CMA Store

    Shop More Art

    Contact Us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

    Update or Correct Artwork Information

    Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

    Report a Website Issue

    Further Questions About This Artwork