Cray
Design 1884, made 1884–1917
Medium
Cotton, plain weave, block printed
Dimensions
279.7 × 97.8 cm (110 1/8 × 38 1/2 in.); Repeat: 94.5 × 45 cm (37 1/4 × 17 3/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
47661
Art Historical Context
William Morris's *Cray*, designed in 1884 and between 1884 and 1917, is a stunning example of block-printed cotton textile from the Arts and Crafts movement. This of fabric, measuring over 110 inches long, features a repeating pattern (94.5 × 45 cm) inspired by nature—likely intertwining motifs of leaves and branches, evoking the organic beauty Morris championed. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department, it showcases the plain weave cotton medium, prized for its durability and ability to hold vibrant, hand-applied colors. As a leader of the Arts and Crafts movement, Morris rebelled...
About the Artist
William Morris · 1834–1896
William Morris (1834–1896) was a British designer, craftsman, writer, and socialist activist who became the most influential figure in the Arts and Crafts movement and one of the most important designers in British history. Born in Walthamstow, Essex, he studied at Oxford, where he formed a lifelong friendship with Edward Burne-Jones and came under the influence of John Ruskin's writings on art, l...