Women Pioneers of the Arts and Crafts Movement (Victoria and Albert Museum)

A celebration of the work and ambition of the women who were at the heart of the Arts and Crafts Movement.

Women Pioneers of the Arts and Crafts Movement is a celebration of the work and ambition of the women who were at the heart of the most influential art and design movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It shines a light on the vital contribution of figures such as May Morris, Gertrude Jekyll, Annie Garnett and many others, and describes the Arts and Crafts Movement from the perspective of these women who worked against the odds as artists, makers, teachers, authors and entrepreneurs.

Women of the era took part in, and often led, the founding of exhibitions, societies, art schools and small craft industries. Some were activists and social disruptors while using their skills and talents to make a living. This book highlights the versatility and range of these talented women, who worked across a host of disciplines, including textile design, embroidery, bookbinding, illustration, painting, enameling, stained glass, metalwork, furniture design and architecture. It is richly illustrated with a wide array of their work, much of it previously unpublished. Featuring objects from the V&A’s renowned Arts and Crafts collection, the book also includes key pieces from other museums and private collections across the UK.