Design
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Edward William Godwin, born 1833 - died 1886 (designer)
Jeffrey (manufacturer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Watercolour on tracing paper
- Credit Line:
Given by Edward Godwin, son of the artist
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C, case TECHS
- Download image
Object Type
This is the design drawing for a piece of wallpaper. Designs drawings vary greatly from rough sketches to highly finished design drawings, depending on their position in the design process. This design is very detailed and close in appearance to the printed wallpaper.
Design & Designing
Godwin first designed wallpapers in 1872 but was already a successful architect by that time. His wallpapers were produced at a time when the wallpaper industry in England was booming. Godwin introduced a new style of pattern for wallpaper that was highly original combining both English and Japanese influences. These designs were very different from the other commercially produced designs available at the time. Colour played a very important part in Godwin's work, especially in his Japanese influenced designs. The combination of colours in this design is typical of those seen in Japanese prints.
People
This wallpaper is similar to the designs of William Morris in its use of floral patterns. Godwin used Morris's wallpapers to decorate his own home. In 1866 Metford Warner joined the Wallpaper manufacturing company Jeffrey & Co. He was inspired by William Morris's work and began to commission artists and architects to design wallpapers. This paper was called 'Bamboo' and was one of the papers commissioned from Godwin.
Physical description
Design for wallpaper, showing bamboo leaves and formalized Japanese flowers; Inscribed and dated on the back by the artist Wall Decoration, November 1872; Watercolour on tracing paper.
Date
1872 (made)
Artist/maker
Edward William Godwin, born 1833 - died 1886 (designer)
Jeffrey (manufacturer)
Materials and Techniques
Watercolour on tracing paper
Marks and inscriptions
Wall Decoration. November 1872
Dimensions
Height: 53.9 cm, Width: 57.3 cm
Object history note
Given by Mr Edward Godwin, son of the artist.
Descriptive line
Design for wallpaper, showing bamboo leaves and formalized Japanese flowers; Watercolour on tracing paper; Edward William Godwin; Produced by Jeffrey & Co.; England; 1872.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Oman, Charles C., and Hamilton, Jean. Wallpapers: a history and illustrated catalogue of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Publications, in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982.
The full text of the entry is as follows:
'969
Design showing bamboo leaves and formalized Japanese flowers; inscribed and dated on the back by the artist Wall Decoration, November 1872
Produced by Jeffrey & Co.
Watercolour on tracing paper
52.5 x 52.5 cm
E.515-1963 neg GG.5868
Illustrations of the wallpaper produced from this design, used alternatively as a length and as a frieze, are shown in W. Watt, Art Furniture from Designs by E. W. Godwin ... London, 1877, pl 20.'
Exhibition History
The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900 (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 18/02/2012-17/07/2012)
The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900 (Musée d'Orsay 13/09/2011-15/01/2012)
The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900 (Victoria and Albert Museum 02/04/2011-17/07/2011)
Labels and date
British Galleries:
Japanese motifs and the Japanese depiction of nature often inspired the work of E.W. Godwin. This wallpaper design by him features bamboo leaves, a popular Japanese motif found on fashionable objects such as this comb. His decorative combination of foreground and background patterns also derives from Japanese art. [27/03/2003]
Materials
Watercolour; Tracing paper
Techniques
Painting (image-making)
Subjects depicted
Bamboo; Japanese flowers
Categories
Designs; Wall coverings
Collection code
PDP
