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Order Artwork Replica So called \, 1900 by Walter Crane (1845-1915, United Kingdom) | ArtsDot.com

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A few square metres of the wall in what is now a corridor towards the director’s office in the Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest are covered in a colourful wallpaper branded Peacock Garden, along with the matching border, Peacock. The Peacock Garden was designed in 1889 by the renowned English artist, Walter Crane, whose career straddled the centuries, and the same year the wallpaper won a gold medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. An advertisement for the wallpaper, which was manufactured and marketed by the London-based Jeffrey & Co., is held at the Victoria and Albert Museum. This wallpaper, along with several other works by Crane, was included in the 1895 exhibition of the National Society of Hungarian Art at Műcsarnok, and three years later in Modern Art, an exhibition at the Museum of Applied Arts. According to floor plans of the Museum of Applied Arts at the time, the section of the corridor where the wallpaper survives was originally a small windowless room of the director’s residence. It is therefore likely that the wallpaper was purchased by the Museum’s then director, Jenő Radisics, in or around 1898. The notion is further substantiated by the fact that the museum’s contemporary inventory of glass negatives lists a photograph of the wallpaper border (NLT 2379), and identifies Jenő Radisics as its owner. This is a telling illustration of how Radisics considered the English Arts and Crafts movement’s efforts at reviving the arts a model for the Hungarian applied arts of the period, and this conviction informed not only his work as the director of the museum—the exhibition programme and the collection policy—but the very decoration as well of his official quarters. Said Radisics of his admiration for Walter Crane: ‘One of our most charming exhibitions was the one that first introduced our audience to the gentle, poetic work of Walter Crane. It was as if spring sunshine had entered our hall with the multifaceted works of this pioneer of modern art, which stem from a sincere conviction.’
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Walter Crane

Walter Crane was a renowned English artist and book illustrator, born on August 15, 1845, in the United Kingdom. He is considered one of the most influential and prolific children's book creators of his generation. Crane's work had a significant impact on the development of children's literature, and his illustrations continue to be celebrated for their beauty and detail.

Early Life and Influences

Crane was born into a family of artists. His father, Thomas Crane, was a portrait painter and miniaturist, and his brother, Thomas, also became an illustrator. Crane's early life was marked by exposure to various art movements, including the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which had a significant influence on his style. He was also a diligent student of John Ruskin, a renowned artist and critic.

Artistic Career

Crane's artistic career spanned multiple fields, including painting, illustration, and decorative arts. He is perhaps best known for his children's book illustrations, which featured colorful and detailed depictions of the natural world. His work was characterized by a strong sense of design and a focus on the child-in-the-garden motif. Some of his notable works include Walter Crane: W To Z, The Sweep, and Summer. Crane's illustrations can be found in various museums, including the Christ's Hospital Museum in Horsham, United Kingdom. His work has also been featured on the website WahooArt.com, which showcases a wide range of his illustrations and paintings.

Legacy

Crane's legacy extends beyond his own work. He was a pioneer of children's book illustration, and his style has influenced generations of artists and illustrators. His emphasis on design and detail helped to establish the genre as a distinct field, and his work continues to be celebrated for its beauty and imagination. Some of Crane's notable contributions to the world of children's literature include:
  • His use of color and composition to create vivid and engaging illustrations
  • His emphasis on the child-in-the-garden motif, which became a hallmark of children's literature
  • His influence on other artists and illustrators, including Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway
Walter Crane's work can be found in various museums and collections, including the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. His biography is also featured on Wikipedia, which provides a comprehensive overview of his life and work. Crane's contributions to children's literature are immeasurable, and his legacy continues to inspire artists and illustrators today. His emphasis on design, detail, and imagination has helped to establish the genre as a distinct field, and his work remains a testament to the power of illustration to engage and educate children.

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