Blackthorn - William Morris
Archival giclée
Ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A classic 1892 wallpaper pattern by William Morris, featuring a dense, naturalistic arrangement of blackthorn branches, daisies, and violets.
Designed by William Morris in 1892, Blackthorn is a quintessential example of the wallpaper patterns produced by Morris and Co. The design reflects the artist's deep observation of the British countryside, specifically the hedgerows he encountered during his time at Kelmscott Manor. The composition features a dense arrangement of blackthorn branches, interspersed with fritillaries, violets, and daisies.
Morris employed a block-printing technique to achieve the layered effect of the foliage. The design relies on a repeating structure that creates a sense of continuous growth across the surface. The colour palette is grounded in deep forest greens, which provide a dark backdrop for the lighter floral elements. The inclusion of muted blues, soft pinks, and earthy browns adds a layer of visual depth without disrupting the overall flatness of the pattern.
Unlike many of his earlier designs, which often featured more symmetrical or formalised arrangements, Blackthorn possesses a more naturalistic, tangled quality. The branches weave through the floral elements, creating a sense of movement that draws the eye across the repeat. This work demonstrates the technical precision required for woodblock printing, as each colour necessitates a separate block and careful registration. The result is a surface that feels both ordered and organic, characteristic of the Arts and Crafts movement's rejection of industrial uniformity in favour of hand-crafted quality. The design remains one of the most recognisable patterns from the Morris and Co. archive, reflecting the aesthetic principles that defined the late Victorian period.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. EU customers have a 14-day cooling-off right. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Blackthorn - William Morris
Our Features
Designed for Lasting Impact
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Choose poster, framed print, canvas or framed canvas
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Why Choose Us ?
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
Artist Biography
William Morris
Morris learned his craft through a unique blend of academic study, artistic collaboration and hands-on experimentation. While at Oxford University he immersed himself in medieval literature and architecture, forging lifelong friendships with Pre-Raphaelite painters who shared his passion for nature and medieval aesthetics. After graduation he studied pattern making, dyeing and weaving techniques by working directly with artisans and by founding the firm Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. in 1861. This workshop-school model allowed Morris to develop his signature style—melding historic motifs with innovative colour palettes—while training a generation of craftsmen in hand block printing and tapestry weaving.
He became known for his most popular artworks through an enduring series of textile and wallpaper patterns that remain iconic today. Designs such as Strawberry Thief, inspired by thrushes in his own kitchen garden; Willow Bough, with its dancing branch motif; and Trellis, featuring interlacing vines, exemplify the seamless blend of function and beauty at the heart of Morris & Co. These bestselling William Morris wallpaper designs and fabric prints were exhibited at international fairs and commissioned for country houses and town residences throughout Britain and beyond. By combining rich botanical imagery with meticulous handcraft techniques, Morris's most popular artworks set new standards in decorative design and continue to influence interior trends worldwide.
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