ART LIFE OF WILLIAM DE MORGAN AND THE REFLECTION OF STYLES IN IZNIK TILES TO THE ARTIST'S WORKS

Abstract

After the Industrial Revolution in Europe in the 19th century, the factories started mass production. As a result, similar products have been influential in the art market. The uniform works seen in this period enabled producers, craftsmen and artists to develop ideas against fabricated production. As a result, original works were designed in which aesthetic concerns were emphasized. In this period, artists and producers began to search for new designs. The artists used the motifs and compositions of Iznik tiles, which are admired in museums and private collections, in their works. With the rise of the Arts and Crafts Movement, many artists in England produced works in this direction. William De Morgan is one of the most important names supporting this movement. The article is about the art life of William De Morgan, his acquaintance with Eastern tiles and ceramics, and the works he produced by being influenced by Iznik tiles. In the study, the works of the artist in the Baba Nakkas, Sah Kulu and Kara Memi styles were accessed and the works were examined in terms of motif, colour and composition. The aim is to reveal the reflection of the 16th century Iznik tile styles on the works of the artist in the 19th century. In order to reach this conclusion, the works of the artist in museums and collection archives in England were scanned. As a result, the article compares the selected works of William De Morgan with the Iznik tiles in Ottoman buildings. The interaction, similarities and differences between the works are revealed.