3 things we just love about J.H. Dearle
Morris & Co. would not have established itself as an integral part of British heritage design without the collective of creatives who make up this company, especially without William Morris’ successor, John Henry Dearle. In commemoration of the life and craftsmanship of this pivotal figure in the British Arts & Crafts movement and at Morris, here’s three facts we simply adore about one of the pivotal father figures of our creative company.
As a shop assistant turned apprentice, John Henry Dearle’s career trajectory under the guidance of Morris was unrivalled. Primed as his successor, Dearle went on to become the figurehead and Art Director at Morris & Co. after William Morris’ death.
From 1859 to 1932, Dearle lived one of the most extraordinarily creative lives of the nineteenth and twentieth century. To this day, his impact on British design ripples down through the decades and his creations continue to be reimagined and revised as part of our collections.
1. JOHN HENRY DEARLE’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
John Henry Dearle’s 54-year career at Morris & Co. began as a shop assistant in the company’s store on Oxford Street, London, in 1878. He transferred to Morris & Co.’s stained-glass painting department, working in the mornings and studying design in the evenings.
William Morris handpicked him as his tapestry apprentice, where Dearle went on to add foliage details to works by Pre-Raphaelite painter and close friend of Morris, Sir Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898). Soon, Dearle was training new tapestry apprentices, a background that would serve him well later in his career.
2. A TRUE MORRIS & CO. EDUCATION
In 1890, following William Morris’s increasing involvement in revolutionary politics, Dearle became head designer for Morris & Co. After Morris’s death in 1896, Dearle became the Art Director of the firm, employing his skills in managing textiles, wallpaper, stained glass and furniture.
During his life-long career at the company, Dearle is thought to have produced 30 wallpaper and 40 textile designs. Whilst his legacy has often been overshadowed by that of William Morris, as Dearle’s authorship begins to emerge, a loyal contingent is always willing to celebrate his incredible contribution to Morris & Co.
3. A NEW VISUAL LANGUAGE
As well as being able to fully adopt the Morris & Co. style, Dearle was a master of grand motifs.
Large-scale, sweeping, energetic designs characterise much of his output, leaving an irresistible mark on British design. Below are three of our favourites of John Henry Dearle’s designs, which are still lovingly reimagined in new colourways and faithfully reproduced today.
THE DESIGNS
Blackthorn 1892
Gorgeously complex and clearly owing a great deal to his background in tapestry work, Blackthorn is Dearle’s rendition of ‘witch’s fingers’, otherwise known as the sloe tree.
Artichoke 1898
Magnificent, oversized artichoke flower heads dominate the scope of this impactful design.
Seaweed 1901
Depicting life beneath the waves, seaweed is a masterpiece of jewel-like tones and simple, swaying forms.
