Louise Collins

Dissertation: Unity in the Arts: Exploring the Relationship Between Walter Crane’s Political Philosophy, Ideals in Art and Role as an Educator

This dissertation aims to explore the relationship between Walter Crane’s political philosophy, ideals in art and role as an educator. There are three main chapters.

The first examines the political setting in late-19th-century Britain and Crane’s role within the growing British Socialist Movement at this time. During this period, many Arts and Crafts organisations were also being established and Crane’s profile within both movements and their organisation was prominent. This is a reflection of the close relationship between his political and artistic philosophy.

The second chapter explores Crane’s artistic output, which has three main themes: his decorative, commercial and political art. Evident, I argue, is the democratic language of art that Crane was attempting to create. The unity of art, which was an ideal espoused by the Art Workers Guild and promoted by Crane, is reflected in his decorative art and through his role as an educator, which is discussed in my final chapter. In the second chapter, I engage with the debate on the paradoxical nature of the Arts and Crafts movement, which is especially relevant to socialist artists such as Crane.

The final chapter is a study of his role as an educator. This was a position in which Crane applied his artistic ideals in attempting to reform the educational system. His educational role was not limited to his work with art schools, but also as a lecturer, writer and promoter of Arts and Crafts ideals for the movement.