Arts and Crafts

This volume explores a movement of artisans who sought to revive craftsmanship, featuring notable figures like William Morris and Frank Lloyd Wright in Arts and Crafts.

In Arts and Crafts, the second volume of Arnold Schwartzman's trilogy, readers are taken on a journey through the architectural landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This period marked a significant shift as a group of British craftsmen sought to reject the impersonal nature of mass production brought about by the Industrial Revolution. They envisioned a 'Round Table' of artisans dedicated to reviving hand-crafted artistry and craftsmanship, which they believed was essential for a more meaningful connection to their work and the world around them.

Prominent figures such as William Morris, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and across the Atlantic, Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Greene and Greene, emerge as key players in this movement. These artisans were united by a shared desire to create a distinct style that harked back to a Golden Age of craftsmanship. They believed that art could enrich everyday life, and their designs reflected a harmonious blend of beauty, functionality, and a deep respect for materials and traditional techniques.

Arts and Crafts not only celebrates the achievements of these influential figures but also delves into the broader implications of their work. It examines how their philosophy and approach to design challenged the status quo and paved the way for future movements in architecture and design, making it a vital read for anyone interested in the evolution of artistic expression during this transformative era.