DOI Heft:
No. 38 (May, 1896)
DOI Artikel:S., E. B.: Some recent designs by Mr. C. F. A. Voysey
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17296#0231
Some Recent Designs by Mr. Voysey
Voysey's creed tersely and admirably formulated, fluence—directly at all events—a smaller audi-
" Simplicity in decoration is one of the most essen- ence. For if few people can afford to have
tial qualities without which no true richness is furniture specially designed for them, there are
possible. To know where to stop and what not to do still fewer who, having the means, possess also
is a long way on the road to being a great decorator." the taste to put the idea into execution and
Surely this last sentence, which I have italicised, courage enough to face the result. To have
deserves to be inscribed in letters of gold in every a room furnished differently from those of one's
architect's office, in every designer's studio through- neighbours would seem to be considered an
out the world. It is the summing-up of the whole affectation to-day—or at least the worst crime
matter, for, as the speaker went on to say : " It is known to " society "—bad form. Otherwise we
well to pay particular attention to this quality of might find Mr. Voysey's services had been secured,
simplicity. Yet it is more often than not scoffed not by a few here and there, but by many an
at. We hear it on the lips in tones of disparage- owner of the palaces constantly springing up in
ment, and many are afraid of it. For well
they may be, as its presence lays bare the
true quality of things. Simplicity requires
perfection in all its details, while elabora-
tion is easy in comparison with it. Take
what art you may, and you will find only
the greatest masters can be simple, or dare
to be simple."
Did but space allow, it would be inte-
resting and instructive to quote much
more fully from this paper, and from one
perhaps still more important because wider
in its theme and more analytical in its
treatment, a paper on Art, read at Winches-
ter in 1892. As an instance of his power
to simplify natural forms to their direct
essentials one might refer to some designs
for elementary wood carving which,
crowded out here, will appear in a future
number.
Those who have followed Mr. Voysey's
career will know how unswervingly he has
kept to his definite programme. In his
designs, now elaborate and gorgeous, now
severe and almost archaic, he has never
coquetted with the passing taste. It is
true that not all his work seems equally
fascinating at first sight, but it is always
well thought out and concerned with
definite problems and ultimately convinces j
and were it so, it would be a deadly sign,
for growth rarely progresses in unvarying
degree. In plants as in men, energy lies
dormant; at times it may even seem as if it
were waning, but these periods are but
storing up new vitality when the circum-
stances favourable to fruition occur again.
Although the designs for furniture which
are included here deserve no less study
than the designs for repeated patterns, in
the nature of things they are likely to in- clock designed by c. f. a. voysey
216
Voysey's creed tersely and admirably formulated, fluence—directly at all events—a smaller audi-
" Simplicity in decoration is one of the most essen- ence. For if few people can afford to have
tial qualities without which no true richness is furniture specially designed for them, there are
possible. To know where to stop and what not to do still fewer who, having the means, possess also
is a long way on the road to being a great decorator." the taste to put the idea into execution and
Surely this last sentence, which I have italicised, courage enough to face the result. To have
deserves to be inscribed in letters of gold in every a room furnished differently from those of one's
architect's office, in every designer's studio through- neighbours would seem to be considered an
out the world. It is the summing-up of the whole affectation to-day—or at least the worst crime
matter, for, as the speaker went on to say : " It is known to " society "—bad form. Otherwise we
well to pay particular attention to this quality of might find Mr. Voysey's services had been secured,
simplicity. Yet it is more often than not scoffed not by a few here and there, but by many an
at. We hear it on the lips in tones of disparage- owner of the palaces constantly springing up in
ment, and many are afraid of it. For well
they may be, as its presence lays bare the
true quality of things. Simplicity requires
perfection in all its details, while elabora-
tion is easy in comparison with it. Take
what art you may, and you will find only
the greatest masters can be simple, or dare
to be simple."
Did but space allow, it would be inte-
resting and instructive to quote much
more fully from this paper, and from one
perhaps still more important because wider
in its theme and more analytical in its
treatment, a paper on Art, read at Winches-
ter in 1892. As an instance of his power
to simplify natural forms to their direct
essentials one might refer to some designs
for elementary wood carving which,
crowded out here, will appear in a future
number.
Those who have followed Mr. Voysey's
career will know how unswervingly he has
kept to his definite programme. In his
designs, now elaborate and gorgeous, now
severe and almost archaic, he has never
coquetted with the passing taste. It is
true that not all his work seems equally
fascinating at first sight, but it is always
well thought out and concerned with
definite problems and ultimately convinces j
and were it so, it would be a deadly sign,
for growth rarely progresses in unvarying
degree. In plants as in men, energy lies
dormant; at times it may even seem as if it
were waning, but these periods are but
storing up new vitality when the circum-
stances favourable to fruition occur again.
Although the designs for furniture which
are included here deserve no less study
than the designs for repeated patterns, in
the nature of things they are likely to in- clock designed by c. f. a. voysey
216