Five pink flowers with foliated tendrils Morris and Company Embroidery Designed by May Morris late 19th century
May Morris in the Tapestry Room at Kelmscott Manor’ (1912) by Mary Annie Sloane © William Morris Gallery, London Borough of Waltham Forest
May Morris, born Mary Morris in 1862, was the younger daughter of William Morris and Jane Morris. Growing up within the artistic and intellectual circle of her parents profoundly shaped her life and career. She was immersed in the Arts and Crafts movement from a young age, surrounded by her father's colleagues and friends, including artists like Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne-Jones. This environment fostered her early artistic development and instilled in her a deep appreciation for craft and design.
Left to right: Edward Jones, Margaret Burne-Jones, Edward Burne-Jones, Philip Burne-Jones, Georgiana Burne-Jones, May Morris, William Morris, Jane Morris, and Jenny Morris; platinotype photograph, 5 1/2 x 5 1.8 inches photo by Fredrick Hollyer
May's artistic talents manifested early, particularly in embroidery. She learned this craft from her mother, Jane, and her aunt, Bessie Burden, who had been taught by William Morris himself. This familial training laid the foundation for her future success in textile arts. By the time she was in her early twenties, May had already begun to make significant contributions to the family firm, Morris & Co.
Honeysuckle wallpaper designed by May Morris in 1883
In 1881, May Morris enrolled at the National Art Training School in Kensington (later the Royal College of Art) and chose embroidery as her field of study. Developing and honing the skills taught to her by her mother and aunt, May displayed an exceptional talent for the craft. It’s worth noting that she also had a talent for drawing and painting, too, and in 1883, she designed one of Morris & Co.’s most enduring and popular surface pattern designs – ‘Honeysuckle’. In 1885,
May Morris, “Woven seat cover” (n.d.), wool tapestry, 20 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches (© William Morris Gallery, London Borough of Waltham Forest
In 1885, at the young age of 23, May Morris became the Director of the Embroidery Department at Morris & Co. This appointment demonstrated her exceptional skill and expertise in the field. She was responsible for producing a wide range of designs, and her contributions played a crucial role in the firm's success. However, it's important to note that many of her designs were often attributed to her father, which somewhat obscured her individual artistic achievements.
May Morris, “Cushion cover,” (c. 1890), linen plain weave with silk embroidery (image via Rhode Island School of Design)
May Morris was a highly skilled embroiderer and designer in her own right. She designed wallpapers, jewelry, lettering, and book decorations, in addition to her renowned embroidery work. She played a key role in continuing her father's emphasis on free-form embroidery, which allowed for greater self-expression in the needleworker, a departure from the more rigid styles prevalent at the time.
May's relationship with her parents, particularly her father, was complex but deeply influential. William Morris encouraged his daughters' artistic pursuits, and May seems to have seen herself as his artistic heir. She shared his socialist ideals and was involved in the Socialist League. After her father's death, she dedicated a significant portion of her life to preserving his legacy, including editing his Collected Works.
Her mother, Jane Morris, also played a significant role in her artistic development, passing on her embroidery skills and fostering a creative environment within the family home. May's upbringing within this artistic household, surrounded by influential figures, undoubtedly shaped her artistic vision and her commitment to the Arts and Crafts movement.
Beyond her artistic endeavors, May Morris was also involved in social activism. She shared her father's socialist beliefs and advocated for the rights of women and workers. In 1907, she co-founded the Women's Guild of Arts, an organization that provided support and networking opportunities for women artists and craft workers, highlighting her commitment to advancing the role of women in the arts.
Tulip Pot designed by May Morris around 1900
May Morris was known to have a strong and independent personality. She was described as having a "tomboyish" nature in her youth and possessed a direct and sometimes critical demeanor. She was passionate in her beliefs and advocated for her artistic vision and social causes with determination.
May Morris and Theodosia Middlemore, “Embroidered hanging of wool on linen depicting a pomegranate tree, roses and other flowers, foliage and birds” (1891–1902) (© National Museums Scotland, courtesy National Museums Scotland)
She had a complex personal life, including a brief marriage to Henry Halliday Sparling, which ended in divorce. She also had significant relationships outside of her marriage. Her life was marked by both artistic dedication and personal challenges.
Morris, Henry Halliday Sparling, Emery Walker, and George Bernard Shaw rehearsing for a Socialist League entertainment, c. 1886
May Morris's contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement were significant, and her artistic legacy continues to be recognized today. She was a talented designer, a skilled craftswoman, and a passionate advocate for art and social justice.
Rose Bush designed by May Morris around 1890
May Morris was a highly accomplished embroiderer and designer who played a vital role in the Arts and Crafts movement, particularly within her father's firm, Morris & Co. While often overshadowed by her famous father, May developed her own distinctive style and made significant contributions to the field of textile arts. Her embroidery work was characterized by its exquisite craftsmanship, intricate detail, and a move towards more naturalistic and flowing designs, building upon the foundations laid by her father but incorporating her own artistic sensibilities.
The Orange Tree 1897 by May Morris
One of May Morris's key contributions was her championing of "artistic needlework" or free-form embroidery. This approach emphasized the skill and artistic expression of the individual needleworker, allowing for greater creativity in the interpretation of designs. Unlike the more rigid, counted thread techniques popular at the time, May's embroidery encouraged a more painterly approach with the needle, utilizing a variety of stitches and thread colors to create texture and depth. This can be seen in her floral motifs, where petals and leaves are rendered with subtle variations in shading and direction of stitch, giving them a lifelike quality.
May Morris Created and Stitched a Dress For a Friend 1882
As Director of the Embroidery Department at Morris & Co., May oversaw the production of numerous important commissions, and while many designs were collaborative or attributed to William Morris, she also created her own distinct patterns. Her designs often featured naturalistic elements, including stylized flowers, foliage, and sometimes birds or animals, reflecting the broader Arts and Crafts movement's inspiration from the natural world. Her understanding of color and her ability to translate designs into the medium of thread were highly regarded.
Necklace designed by May Morris c.1906
Beyond embroidery, May Morris also demonstrated her artistic talents in other design fields. She created wallpaper patterns, jewelry, and book decorations, showcasing a versatile artistic sensibility rooted in the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement – an emphasis on quality materials, skilled craftsmanship, and the integration of art into everyday life. While her embroidery remains her most celebrated contribution, her broader design work further illustrates her significant role in shaping the visual aesthetic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Acanthus Vine by May Morris 1890
Today, May is increasingly celebrated not just as her father's daughter, but as a formidable artist, designer, and influential figure in the Arts and Crafts era, with her intricate embroideries and progressive spirit continuing to inspire contemporary artists and designers.
Wildflowers Inspired by May Morris Melsetter Tapestry