Jasmine 1872

This is "Jasmine," a floral textile design by William Morris. Morris was a central figure in the British Arts and Crafts movement, which championed traditional craftsmanship in the face of industrialization. The design speaks to Victorian England’s complex relationship with nature and industry. At the time industrialization was rapidly transforming British society, leading to a nostalgia for an idealized, rural past. As a reaction against mass-produced goods, Morris’s designs sought to reintroduce the beauty and integrity of handmade items into everyday life. His patterns, often featuring dense, intricate floral motifs, evoked a sense of organic abundance and harmony. Yet, paradoxically, these designs were made for consumption by the burgeoning middle and upper classes. In this context, “Jasmine” isn’t merely a decorative pattern, but a statement about value, labor, and the yearning for a lost connection to the natural world.