Pimpernel - William Morris
Archival giclée
Ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A classic 1876 wallpaper design by William Morris, featuring a symmetrical, repeating pattern of pimpernel flowers and foliage in muted, natural tones.
Designed by William Morris in 1876, the Pimpernel pattern is a characteristic example of his approach to wallpaper production. The design features a symmetrical arrangement of pimpernel flowers, foliage, and stems, creating a dense, repeating surface. Morris utilised a block-printing technique, which required multiple wooden blocks to apply each colour layer to the paper. This method results in the specific texture and depth of colour associated with his firm, Morris & Co.
The composition relies on a mirrored structure, where the floral elements curve and intersect to form a continuous, rhythmic pattern. The colour palette is restrained, focusing on muted greens, soft creams, and pale yellows. This choice of tone reflects the aesthetic preferences of the Arts and Crafts movement, which favoured naturalistic colours over the synthetic dyes that were becoming common during the Victorian era.
Morris used this specific pattern in his own dining room at Kelmscott House in Hammersmith. The design demonstrates his interest in botanical observation, though the final output is stylised to suit the requirements of a repeating wallpaper. The vertical orientation of the stems and the balanced placement of the blossoms provide a sense of order, while the overlapping leaves add a layer of visual density. As a piece of decorative art, Pimpernel functions as a flat, graphic surface that avoids the illusion of three-dimensional space, adhering to the principles Morris advocated for interior design. The print captures the original scale and colouration of the historical wallpaper, allowing for an appreciation of the craftsmanship involved in its creation.
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.
Pimpernel - 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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