Owen Jones’s Theory of Ornament

Isabelle J. Frank

    Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary WorksRGC 12 - Chapter in an edited book (Author)peer-review

    Abstract

    Owen Jones wrote his bestseller The Grammar of Ornament in 1856, on the heels of the Great Exhibition, a turning point in the history of design, architecture, and art theory. By the mid-nineteenth century, Britain was the most industrially advanced of the European countries and was the first to see the negative effects of mechanical production on its exports. Given the financial importance of this market for Britain (as well as the increasing competition among European nations), decorative arts became a focus of national concern; the government’s first step was to sponsor the establishment of a School of Design in 1837, intended to train workmen in industrial design. Henry Cole, who later founded the South Kensington Museum, became director in 1849 and the unofficial leader of the British reform movement for industry. To garner even more support for British design, Cole and Prince Albert planned the Great Exhibition of 1851, which brought together an unprecedented display of Western and non-Western art.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationOrnament and European Modernism
    Subtitle of host publicationFrom Art Practice to Art History
    EditorsLoretta Vandi
    Place of PublicationNew York
    PublisherRoutledge
    Chapter1
    Pages9-36
    ISBN (Electronic)9781351668590, 9781315162560
    ISBN (Print)9781138743403
    Publication statusPublished - 12 Sept 2017

    Publication series

    NameRoutledge Research in Art History
    PublisherRoutledge

    Bibliographical note

    Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).

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