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The Well at the World's End

Author William Morris British
Publisher Kelmscott Press British
1896
Not on view
Determined to reform the artistry of book making, William Morris established Kelmscott Press in 1891. One of its finest productions was this medieval romance written by the founder in the archaic style of Thomas Malory and beautifully illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones. In the full-page illustration, Friends in Need Meet in the Wild Wood, the young knight Ralph meets a maiden disguised in armor. Morris designed the elaborate ornamental border of grapevines, the embellished capital letter, and the typeface. Both imagery and text influenced writers J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Well at the World's End
  • Author: William Morris (British, Walthamstow, London 1834–1896 Hammersmith, London)
  • Artist: Sir Edward Burne-Jones (British, Birmingham 1833–1898 Fulham)
  • Publisher: Kelmscott Press (Hammersmith, London)
  • Date: 1896
  • Medium: Illustrations: woodcuts; one of eight vellum bound copies
  • Dimensions: 11 3/8 x 8 1/4 x 2 in. (28.9 x 21 x 5.1 cm)
  • Classification: Books
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.3.2641(13)
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Holland Park carpet, William Morris British, Wool<br/>Turkish (Ghiordes) knot, 25 to the square inch., British, Merton Abbey or Hammersmith
Holland Park carpet
William Morris
late 19th century
Tulip and Lily, William Morris British, Wool, British
Tulip and Lily
William Morris
Heckmondwike Manufacturing Company, Yorkshire, England
designed ca. 1875
Curtain, William Morris British, Cotton, woven, American or British
Curtain
William Morris
ca. 1882
Honeysuckle, William Morris British, Linen, British
Honeysuckle
William Morris
design registered 1876, printed 1876–77
Panel of floral embroidery, William Morris British, Silk on silk; linen backing, British
Panel of floral embroidery
William Morris
Catherine Holiday
ca. 1875–80

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