The Arts and Crafts Movement (1890s)

The Arts and Crafts Movement, emerging in the 1890s, was a response to industrialization’s mass production, emphasizing traditional craftsmanship and quality. It championed handcrafted, artistic objects and architecture, valuing beauty, simplicity, and functionality over industrial uniformity. Prominent figures, like William Morris, sought to create harmonious designs that celebrated individual skill and local materials. The movement aimed to revive medieval and folk art influences, promoting a more honest, wholesome approach to design that connected artisans with their communities. Overall, it was a cultural push for authenticity and craftsmanship in art, furniture, textiles, and architecture.