Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo was a progressive English architect and designer, who influenced the Arts and Crafts Movement, notably through the Century Guild of Artists, which he set up in partnership with Selwyn Image in 1882.
Mackmurdo was the son of a wealthy chemical manufacturer. He was educated at Felsted School, and was first trained under the architect T. Chatfield Clarke, from whom he claimed to have learnt nothing. Then, in 1869, he became an assistant to the Gothic Revival architect James Brooks. In 1873, he visited John Ruskin's School of Drawing, and accompanied Ruskin to Italy in 1874. He stayed on to study in Florence for a while; despite the influence of Ruskin, the Italian architecture he was most impressed by was that of the Renaissance.
In 1874 he opened his own architectural practice at 28 Southampton Street, in central London.
In 1882, Mackmurdo founded the Century Guild of Artists. Other members included Selwyn Image, Herbert Horne, Clement Heaton and Ruskin's protegee, the sculptor Benjamin Creswick. It was one of the more successful craft guilds of its time. It offered complete furnishing of homes and buildings, and its artists were encouraged to participate in production as well as design; Mackmurdo himself mastered several crafts, including metalworking and cabinet making.
In 1884, the guild showed a display in the form of a music room at the Health Exhibition in London; the stand was shown, with variations, at subsequent exhibitions in Manchester and Liverpool. It incorporated two of Mackmurdo's favourite motifs. One was foliage twisted into sinuous curves. Nikolaus Pevsner described Mackmurdo's use of such foliage on the title page of the designer's own Wren's City Churches (1883) as "the first work of art nouveau which can be traced", identifying its main influences as Rossetti and Burne-Jones, and ultimately, through them, William Blake.
The second motif was the use of thin square columns, topped with flat squares instead of capitals. These columns influenced the furniture designs of C.F.A. Voysey, and, through him, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackmurdo used them architecturally on his own house at 8 Private Road, Enfield (1887), and on a house for the artist Mortimer Menpes, at 25 Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea (1893–94), where he incorporated them into a kind of Queen Anne style.

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ARTHUR HEYGATE MACKMURDO, a renowned English architect and designer, is best known for his innovative and progressive design style. Born in 1851, Mackmurdo was a key figure in the development of the Modern Style, also known as British Art Nouveau. His work had a significant impact on the art world, and he is considered one of the pioneers of this style.

Early Life and Education

Mackmurdo's early life and education played a crucial role in shaping his design style. He was educated at Winchester College, where he developed an interest in architecture and design. After completing his studies, Mackmurdo worked as an assistant to the architect J. P. Seddon, where he learned the principles of Gothic design.

Design Style

Mackmurdo's design style was characterized by simplicity, elegance, and a focus on functionality. He believed in using high-quality materials and eliminating complicated decoration in favor of a careful balance of vertical and horizontal elements. His furniture designs, which included Acanthus Leaf design and Architectural Drawing of Hogarth Cloisters, Ealing, are notable examples of his style. Mackmurdo's work was influenced by various artists and designers, including William Morris and C. F. A. Voysey. He also drew inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the importance of decorative arts and the use of natural materials.

Notable Works

Some of Mackmurdo's notable works include:

• Architectural Drawing of Hogarth Cloisters, Ealing, a drawing that showcases his innovative design style.
• Acanthus Leaf design, a stunning artwork that demonstrates his ability to create beautiful and intricate designs.
• Mahogany chair, a piece of furniture that is considered one of the earliest examples of the Modern Style.

Mackmurdo's work can be found in various museums, including the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, United Kingdom. His designs have also been featured in several exhibitions, including a recent exhibition at the https://WahooArt.com/, which showcased his work and that of other notable designers.

Legacy

Mackmurdo's legacy continues to be felt in the world of design and architecture. His innovative style and emphasis on functionality have influenced generations of designers, and his work remains a testament to his skill and creativity. As a pioneer of the Modern Style, Mackmurdo played a significant role in shaping the course of design history, and his work continues to be celebrated by art lovers around the world. https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/Art_EN?Open&Query=arthur+heygate+mackmurdo,arthur,heygate,mackmurdo https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/Art_EN?Open&Query=architectural+drawing+of+hogarth+cloisters,architectural,drawing,hogarth,cloisters,ealing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Style_(British_Art_Nouveau_style)

Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo fue un arquitecto y diseñador industrial inglés que influyó notablemente en el movimiento de Arts and Crafts a través del Century Guild of Artists. Nacido el 12 de diciembre de 1851, Mackmurdo es considerado uno de los pioneros del estilo Art Nouveau.

Infancia y formación

Mackmurdo comenzó su aprendizaje con el arquitecto de estilo arquitectónico neogótico James Brooks en 1868. En 1873, visitó la Escuela de Dibujo de John Ruskin, y acompañó a Ruskin a Italia en 1874. Ese mismo año, Mackmurdo abrió su propio estudio de arquitectura en Southampton Street, Londres.

Century Guild of Artists

En 1882, Mackmurdo fundó el Century Guild of Artists, uno de los gremios de artesanos más exitosos de la década de 1880. La guildía ofrecía amueblado completo de casas y edificios y animaba a sus artistas a participar tanto en la producción como en el diseño. Mackmurdo se encargaba de dirigir distintos trabajos, incluyendo metalistería y ebanistería. Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo es considerado uno de los ejemplos más antiguos de Art Nouveau, en especial su silla diseñada en 1882 y el grabado para la cubierta de un libro (Las primeras iglesias de Wren) de 1883. Ambos ejemplos muestran las líneas ondulantes que habrían de convertirse en sello distintivo del movimiento.

Obras destacadas

Algunas de las obras destacadas de Mackmurdo incluyen:

• 8 Private Road, Enfield, Londres (1887)
• 25 Cadogan Gardens, Londres (1893-1894)

Mackmurdo también fue un artista prolífico y contribuyó con varias obras a la The Julio Romero de Torres Museum, una colección de arte contemporáneo que abriga obras de artistas renomados.

Legado

El legado de Mackmurdo se puede ver en la Galería William Morris, un museo dedicado a la vida y obra de William Morris, un destacado diseñador textil, poeta, artista, escritor y activista social británico asociado con el Movimiento de Artes y Oficios británico. La galería alberga una amplia colección de obras de arte y objetos relacionados con Morris, incluidas pinturas, dibujos, grabados, manuscritos, muebles, textiles y cerámicas. En conclusión, Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo fue un arquitecto y diseñador industrial inglés que influyó notablemente en el movimiento de Arts and Crafts a través del Century Guild of Artists. Su legado se puede ver en la Galería William Morris y en sus obras destacadas, como 8 Private Road, Enfield, Londres y 25 Cadogan Gardens, Londres. Su contribución al estilo Art Nouveau es incalculable, y su influencia se puede ver en la obra de artistas posteriores.