Owen Jones and the V&A: Ornament for a Modern Age

Owen Jones was a prolific architect, designer, illustrator, and printer who was recognized as one of the most influential contemporary figures in art and design theory. This book explores his relationship with the South Kensington Museum (later the Victoria and Albert Museum), focusing on the creation of his celebrated volume The Grammar of Ornament (1856) and his decorative scheme for the museums' Oriental Court.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 05 June 2023
Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd

Owen Jones (1809–1874), a multifaceted artist, designer, illustrator, and printer, garnered widespread recognition during his lifetime as a prominent figure in the realm of art and design theory. This enlightening book, the latest installment in the V&A Nineteenth-Century Series, delves into his profound connection with the South Kensington Museum (later known as the Victoria and Albert Museum), spanning from its inaugural years in the 1850s until his passing in 1874. Through a meticulous examination, particularly focusing on the creation of his renowned volume "The Grammar of Ornament" (1856), his decorative scheme for the museum's "Oriental Court," and the preparation of his lesser-known publication "Examples of Chinese Ornament" (1867), the book offers an insightful exploration of the early museum's identity and its imperial context.

Owen Jones, a prolific architect, designer, illustrator, and printer, was recognized during his lifetime as one of the most influential contemporary figures in art and design theory. This insightful book, the latest in the V&A Nineteenth-Century Series, explores his relationship with the South Kensington Museum (later the Victoria and Albert Museum), from its inauguration in the 1850s through to his death in 1874. With particular focus on the creation of his celebrated volume "The Grammar of Ornament" (1856), his decorative scheme for the museums so-called 'Oriental Court, and the preparation of his lesser-known publication "Examples of Chinese Ornament" (1867), it offers a fascinating exploration of the identity of the early museum and its imperial context.

Owen Jones, a multifaceted artist, designer, illustrator, and printer, garnered widespread recognition during his lifetime as a prominent figure in the realm of art and design theory. This enlightening book, the latest installment in the V&A Nineteenth-Century Series, delves into his profound connection with the South Kensington Museum (later known as the Victoria and Albert Museum), spanning from its inaugural years in the 1850s until his passing in 1874. Through a meticulous examination, particularly focusing on the creation of his renowned volume "The Grammar of Ornament" (1856), his decorative scheme for the museum's "Oriental Court," and the preparation of his lesser-known publication "Examples of Chinese Ornament" (1867), the book offers an insightful exploration of the early museum's identity and its imperial context.

Weight: 1094g
Dimension: 237 x 283 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848226012