William Morris
Paintings
and tapestries encountered in the cathedral cities of Amiens, Chartres
and Beauvais and the countryside, woods and plants around his childhood
home near Epping Forest were all factors that contributed to his immense
understanding and appreciation of colour.
Morris wanted to reproduce the depth, and quality of colour found in the historical pieces he so admired. Embroideries, for both domestic and ecclesiastical - Morris favoured naturally dyed dark woollen background fabrics and warm, richly coloured embroidery threads. With the advent in the late 1850s of aniline dyes derived from coal tar, it became increasingly difficult for Morris to obtain his preferred materials.
Morris wanted to reproduce the depth, and quality of colour found in the historical pieces he so admired. Embroideries, for both domestic and ecclesiastical - Morris favoured naturally dyed dark woollen background fabrics and warm, richly coloured embroidery threads. With the advent in the late 1850s of aniline dyes derived from coal tar, it became increasingly difficult for Morris to obtain his preferred materials.
An obsession with colour
Colour was extremely important to Morris. For him it held emotional power. Morris's knowledge and love of colour grew from a combination of his study of art and love of nature.
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