The Pre-Raphaelites and aestheticism.

Burne-Jones, Sir Edward

While a student at Oxfort, Burne-Jones formed a friendship with William Morris. Together they decided to take up art. Both were attracted to Dante Rossetti's theories and were associated with but not members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Burne-Jones admired the Pre-Raphaelites' highly polished techniques founded on the medieval paintings they all admired.

Burne-Jones's paintings explore the Arthurian cycle and mythological scenes. He and William Morris later designed stained-glass windows and tapestries.

Morris, William

A poet, designer, printer, and entrepreneur, Morris was one of the most important artists of his day. As a poet he published The Defense of Guenevere and Other Poems in 1858. In association with Burne-Jones, Dante Rossetti, and others, in 1860 Morris established the firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co., for the design and manufacture of artistic furniture and household decorations; subsequently the company added tapestries and other textiles, wallpapers, book illustrations, and printing to its list of products and services. Morris found the time to write and publish between 1867 and 1870 The Life and Death of Jason and The Earthly Paradise. Morris's original design firm dissolved in 1871 and in 1881 he transferred his business to Merton in Surrey.

In 1890 Morris founded the now famous Kelmscott Press, for which he designed type fonts, ornamental letters, and borders. Morris became an active socialist during the 1880s. Later in life, he was a leader in the Socialist League of England.