William De Morgan
(1839 – 1917)
was the leading ceramist of the Arts and Crafts movement (c.1870 – 1910). Born in Bloomsbury, London, De Morgan formally trained as a fine artist then developed his interest in the scientific and mathematical. He began his career by creating stained glass panels before moving onto ceramics; in particular, hearth place tiles, murals, and “hollowware”.
Over his career, De Morgan drew hundreds of animals with anthropomorphic sensibilities. Meanwhile, his plants and flowers became more fantastical and imaginative as the De Morgan style became more developed. Discover how his portrayal of Land, Air & Sea is reflected in this collection.