MAY MORRIS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE IDEAS OF THE “ARTS AND CRAFTS” MOVEMENT

Abstract

Abstract. William Morris, the creator of the “Arts and Crafts” movement sought to raise the importance of decorative arts and crafts in the general system of culture and bring them to the same level as painting. May Morris became the follower and successor of her father’s ideas. She did her best to change the attitude towards decorative art and destroy the prejudice regarding its inferiority in comparison with fine art. The results of her efforts can be seen in the modern development of decorative and applied art. Achievements of May Morris, both artistic and theoretical-scientific, are very important for the evolution of decorative and applied art and its elevation to the level of fine art. Until recently her major influence on the development and spread of the ideas of the «Arts and Crafts» movement was overshadowed by the achievements of her father. The purpose of our article is to highlight both the artistic achievements of May Morris and her skill in the craft of embroidery on the example of individual works, as well as the theoretical and scientific base developed by the artist. Mays’ efforts to engage women artists in the development of the art of textiles and the organization of the Women’s Guild of Arts are also the subjects of the article. Thus, the study aims to point to May Morris’s leading role in raising the importance of decorative and applied arts and her enormous contribution to art and gender equality.