The De Morgan Centre

The De Morgan Centre Description

The De Morgan Centre opened to the public in 2002 and is a permanent home for work by William De Morgan, the Victorian ceramic artist and his wife Evelyn, the painter. It houses an archive of papers relating to their lives and their circle and a reserve collection.

William (1839-1917) and Evelyn (1855-1919) De Morgan were both highly respected artists and true renaissance people. They married in 1887 and in addition to their interest in the fine and decorative arts, became involved in many of the leading issues of the day including the suffragette movement, prison reform, pacifism and spiritualism.

William's greatest artistic legacy is his rediscovery of the lost art of lustre and the brilliant colours of Islamic pottery, especially the bright turquoise he had first admired on Isnik work of the 16th century.

Evelyn was a successful and prolific artist, exhibiting a range of her works from 1877 until her death in 1919. Her style is distinctive in its rich use of colour, allegory and the dominance of the female form. Her paintings display a specific interest in the confinement and limitations of the physical body on earth. Often this is resolved through death.

Opening Times - 2011

• Tuesday - Friday: 1 - 5 pm
• Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm

Admission Prices - 2011

• Adult - £4.00