Comparative Studies of the Works of Williams Morris and A.W.N. Pugin

¶ … A.W.N. Pugin and Williams Morris

N Pugin was an English architect, artist, designers and critic remembered for his immense roles in reviving the Gothic style. His work was culminated for the interior design carried out at Palace of Westminster. Pugin had assisted in designing many churches in the UK, Australia and Ireland. The Pugin's architectural firm was a family business registered as Pugin & Pugin. Augustine Pugin, a draughtsman, was the father of Pugin. Auguste was an aristocrat in France and flee to England during the French revolution. (Atterbury). Got married to Catherine Welby, Auguste published series of pamphlets in architectural design between 1821 and 1838. Pugin followed his father's footsteps by learning drawings from his father. Pugin attended Christ's school and after leaving the school, he worked in his father's office. The first project that Pugin carried out independent of his father was a design carried out for Rudell and Bridge between 1825 and 1827. However, Pugin started the architectural work when he met James Gillespie Graham, who was an architect.

Objective of this paper is to evaluate the works of A.W.N. Pugin and Williams Morris. The study also discusses theories and movement carried out by Pugin and William Morris.

Theories and Movement of Pugin and Williams Morris

A.W.N Pugin was one of the most popular and influential designers and architects in the 19th century.

"Pugin had many of the attributes of the archetypal Eminent Victorian. Largely self-educated, energetic, restless, ambitious, and multitalented, in a life spanning only forty years he laid an indelible mark on English art and English culture." (Geoffrey, 190).

Pugin's idea and principles were developed and adopted by followers such as William Morris. As an architect, Pugin designed several projects such as cathedrals, colleges, churches, convent and domestic building using different structural techniques. Pugin also designed the Gothic Revival, which was the most impressive decorative work in England and globally. Moreover, Pugin implemented several interior designing works and created several stunning woodworks, furniture, metalwork, silver, tiles, and poetry. (Atterbury, 1). Typically, Pugin's legacy was far beyond architectural designs, however, Pugin was responsible in popularizing philosophy and style of the architect that span throughout Victorian life, and his work influenced designers such as William Morris. Pugin theoretical position is based on the Gothic Revival. Pugin encouraged designers and architects to work towards fundamental principles of medieval art, which include material, purpose and structure. (Bright, 5). More importantly, Pugin influenced a Gothic revival by contributing to a strong moralist agenda. Typically, Pugin's personality could be described as dynamic that influenced his position to Gothic building. The outcome of his study made him to agree that the Middle Gothic represented the true form and architects should "revert to the true Gothic Style." (Bright, 5).

Interestingly, Pugin, who held a strong view about the Gothic Revival principles, was also able to carry a work on interior decoration for Westminster, and House of Parliament. Pugin also collaborated with an official architect, Charles Barry to produce splendid works. In essence, the legacy of Pugin altered the architectural design of 19th century. His work influenced the work of future architects, designers, as well as the work of local craftsmen. (Bright).

After the death of Pugin, his works could not be carried on. Many educated Americans and English are not familiar with Pugin; they are familiar with Robert Adam, Christopher Wren, and Edwin Lutyens.

"Typically, Pugin's architecture does not always live up to expectations, either because his patrons did not have enough money, or because of more fundamental design faults, or because the buildings have been unsympathetically treated. Some of his major works, like the cathedrals at Enniscorthy and Killarney in Ireland or his house at Ramsgate in Kent, do little to lift the spirits." (Geoffrey, 191)

However, it was in the 1990s that the works of Pugin had been revived.

Williams Morris

William Morris was the son of prosperous parents. At Oxford, Morris met Edward Burne-Jones, who was a talented fellow student. Both of them read Stones of Venice and traveled to visit Cathedrals. However, Similar to Pugin's interest in a design work, Morris was also an English textile designer. He was also a poet, translator, novelist, and social activist. While Pugin contributed to the Gothic Revival, Morris was a major contributor to the revival of English textile production and arts. His literary contribution provided significant roles in propagating social movement in England and "made a radical judgment about socialism." (Gere, & Whiteway, Brian 1). After Morris graduated from Oxford, he was trained as an architect, and was very close with Philip Webb, who was a Neo-Gothic architect. Contrary to the famous architectural works carried out by Pugin, Morris established a decorative art firm with other people, which became highly fashionable in England. Similar to the works of interior decoration carried out by Pugin, Morris was also profoundly being influenced by the interior decoration during the period of Victorian era. While much of the works of Pugin centered on drawings, portraits, photographs, private letters, articles, and documents, however, Morris focused in designing fabrics, wallpaper, furniture, stained glass windows, and tapestries. In 1875, Morris assumed a full responsibility of the company and changed the name of the company to Morris & Co. During his lifetime, Morris produced wide range of craft, over 600 wallpapers design, embroideries and textiles. Morris theoretical approach was that production and design should move at the same time. In the field of textile, Morris revived different dead techniques and insisted in the use of natural dyes, quality raw materials and hand processing. In essence, Morris & Co became fashionable among upper and middle class in England. Similar to the Pugin's legacy, Morris was also a major contributor to the revival of traditional English arts and production during the Victorian era. (Baker 665).