The Stained Glass of William Morris and his Circle

One of the most remarkable artistic revivals in nineteenth-century England was that of stained glass. The finest glass was made by William Morris and his firm, which included Edward Burne-Jones, Dante-Gabriel Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown, Philip Webb, and J. Henry Dearle. Their sensitivity to the qualities of stained glass made their work exceptional in its composition, bold and original colour, and expressive Christian iconography. 

In this major contribution to studies in Victorian art, A. Charles Sewter thoroughly describes the firm’s work from its founding in 1861 to its closing in 1940. Drawing on his first-hand knowledge of almost every Morris window in the United Kingdom and throughout the world, and on account-books and other unpublished sources, he treats in detail the firm’s major commissions. He describes the preparation of cartoons and windows and comes to new conclusions about the creative role of Morris and the other artists. 

This volume contains over 650 illustrations, 17 in full colour, many of which are published here for the first time. A forthcoming volume will include a complete catalogue of the firm’s output, indexes of subject matter, cartoons, persons commemorated, and much other material.