Strawberry Thief Pattern Printed Fabric (no. 23598)
William Morris
British, 1834–1896
1883
A printed cotton textile pattern by William Morris in which he transforms the small domestic drama of birds pilfering strawberries into a richly repeating decorative design intended to bring handcrafted natural beauty into the home.
A dense, mirrored surface—set against a dark brown ground—of looping vines, pastel blossoms, pale spotted birds and bright red strawberries, whose close-packed symmetry and rhythmic repetition make the whole read like a living tapestry.
A signature work of the Arts and Crafts movement, Strawberry Thief helped revive hand-block printing and promoted the idea that thoughtfully designed, nature-inspired textiles should be part of everyday domestic life, influencing modern interior and textile design.
Medium
Cotton
Dimensions
36 x 36 1/2" (91.5 x 92.7 cm)
Classification
Department
Credit
Gift of Edgar Kaufmann, Jr.
Accession
904.1942
Palette
Art Terms
Exhibitions
