Original design for Fruit wallpaper

William Morris (1834 - 1896)

V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum)

circa 1865

This is an early version of the design for the wallpaper named ‘Fruit' or ‘Pomegranate' with olives, lemons and pomegranates. The final manufactured version of the wallpaper differs considerably from this design and a sample of it is already in the V&A collection. The design is of particular importance to the V&A because ‘Fruit' is directly related to the painted panels that form part of the Morris decoration of the Green Dining Room at the museum. The technique of this design demonstrates Morris's working method and the obvious differences between this design and the finished product reveal very visually and intelligibly the progress of the design from conception to manufacture.

• Medium: gouache on paper over pencil & crayon
• Dimensions: 64.9 x 62.7cm
• Art Fund Grant: £15000 ( Total: £30,000)
• ArtFunded in: 2009
• Vendor: Bonhams

Provenance

A Halcrow-Verstage, 1961. The work has been vetted by the Art Loss Register.

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