V&A PatternC.F.A. Voysey

C.F.A. Voysey V&A PatternC.F.A. Voysey

C.F.A. Voysey

UK £7.99 USA $12.95 Canada $13.95

Includes high-resolution image disc 71 beautiful patterns from the V&A See more at www.vandaimages.com

C.F.A. VoyseyKaren Livingstone

Pattern design at the end of the nineteenth century was transformed by a new generation of designers who developed a fresh and inventive approach to wallpapers and textiles. British pattern designs were published, exhibited and admired internationally, and were hugely influential in the development of new styles, especially in Europe.

The most original and influential of all British pattern designers at this time was indisputably C.F.A. Voysey (1857–1941), an architect who began to design patterns around 1884 and went on to produce a prolific range of designs over the next 50 years. His style, characterized by bold repeats, natural forms, flat tints of colour, and a pared back simplicity, is quickly identifiable. This was true from the beginning, when, in 1896, The Studio reported that a ‘Voysey wallpaper’ was as familiar as a ‘Morris chintz’ or a ‘Liberty silk’. His output and influence was unrivalled by any other designer.

In 1882 Voysey set up his own architectural practice. While he was building up a client base, he began to design patterns as an additional source of income. He was taught to draw repeating patterns by his friend and mentor, the architect and designer A.H. Mackmurdo (1851–1942), and quickly showed an instinctive aptitude. He greatly admired the designers who came before

C.F.A. VoyseyKaren Livingstone

Pattern design at the end of the nineteenth century was transformed by a new generation of designers who developed a fresh and inventive approach to wallpapers and textiles. British pattern designs were published, exhibited and admired internationally, and were hugely influential in the development of new styles, especially in Europe.

The most original and influential of all British pattern designers at this time was indisputably C.F.A. Voysey (1857–1941), an architect who began to design patterns around 1884 and went on to produce a prolific range of designs over the next 50 years. His style, characterized by bold repeats, natural forms, flat tints of colour, and a pared back simplicity, is quickly identifiable. This was true from the beginning, when, in 1896, The Studio reported that a ‘Voysey wallpaper’ was as familiar as a ‘Morris chintz’ or a ‘Liberty silk’. His output and influence was unrivalled by any other designer.

In 1882 Voysey set up his own architectural practice. While he was building up a client base, he began to design patterns as an additional source of income. He was taught to draw repeating patterns by his friend and mentor, the architect and designer A.H. Mackmurdo (1851–1942), and quickly showed an instinctive aptitude. He greatly admired the designers who came before

10C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.The Ilmore, wallpaper. Colour woodblock print on paper. UK, c.1897 (V&A: E.1889–1953)

9C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.The Galahad, wallpaper. Colour machine print on paper. UK, c.1899 (V&A: Circ.263–1953)

10C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.The Ilmore, wallpaper. Colour woodblock print on paper. UK, c.1897 (V&A: E.1889–1953)

9C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.The Galahad, wallpaper. Colour machine print on paper. UK, c.1899 (V&A: Circ.263–1953)

32C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.Wallpaper. Colour machine print on paper. UK, 1890–1900 (V&A: E.315–1974)

31C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.The Columba, wallpaper. Colour woodblock print on paper. UK, c.1898 (V&A: E.1897–1953)

32C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.Wallpaper. Colour machine print on paper. UK, 1890–1900 (V&A: E.315–1974)

31C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.The Columba, wallpaper. Colour woodblock print on paper. UK, c.1898 (V&A: E.1897–1953)

48C.F.A. VoyseyDesign for a wallpaper. Pencil and watercolour on paper. UK, 1909 (V&A: Circ.44–1928)

47C.F.A. Voysey/Lightbown, Aspinall & Co.Daisy, wallpaper. Colour machine print on paper. UK, 1926 (V&A: E.1926–1934)

48C.F.A. VoyseyDesign for a wallpaper. Pencil and watercolour on paper. UK, 1909 (V&A: Circ.44–1928)

47C.F.A. Voysey/Lightbown, Aspinall & Co.Daisy, wallpaper. Colour machine print on paper. UK, 1926 (V&A: E.1926–1934)

54C.F.A. VoyseyDesign for a wallpaper. Ink wash on paper. UK, c.1900 (V&A: E.42–1945)

53C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.The Savaric, wallpaper. Colour machine print on paper. UK, 1901 (V&A: E.1895–1953)

54C.F.A. VoyseyDesign for a wallpaper. Ink wash on paper. UK, c.1900 (V&A: E.42–1945)

53C.F.A. Voysey/Essex & Co.The Savaric, wallpaper. Colour machine print on paper. UK, 1901 (V&A: E.1895–1953)