Aesthetic Movement

Art Nouveau and Aesthetic Movement were both against the Industrial Revolution in the middle of the 19th century in Britain, 1860's. Aesthetic Movement is well known as "art for it's beauty, rather than it's symbolism in politics or religion". Lillies, sunflowers and natural beauty were the main inspirations for this period. Morris was a member during this era along with Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Aesthetic movement grew from a previous art movement in Britain. It had mixed Eastern influences like inspirations from Oriental Middle Eastern Wares and Japanese woodcuts. It also influenced the Art Nouveau because of its nature ideas and from the Modern Movement because of its abstraction towards the Japanese forms. Designers in this period included: E.W Godwin and Christopher Dresser. 

Some patterns from this era:

Green Dining Room, 1866

The Green Dining Room was decorated by William Morris in 1866. Morris mentioned in one of his poems saying that he wanted customers to have that "feeling of entering a mysterious green bower or a hidden chamber in an enchanted palace". He was helped by Burne-Jones who painted the panels and stained glass. Over the green oak panelling there was a layer of floral patterns and textures which made the green under it stand out very much. In my opinion, I think it was an outstanding design because it does give you that feeling of nature and freedom because of the green color and the floral pattern gives you a sense of warmth and it's like you are living in a fairytale. 

Other products: 

Ebonized Cabinet, 1870's

Sunflower - Thomas Jeckyll, 1880

References:

- The Guardian, 2014, 'The Aesthetic Movement' [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/mar/26/aestheticism-exhibition-victoria-albert-museum [Accessed at: 7 January 2014]

- Charlotte & Peter Fiell (2005) Aesthetic Movement, Great Britain. In: Design of the 20th Century: London, pp. 24