Writing Journals & Sketchbooks

This Windrush pattern comes from a pencil and watercolour sketch that William Morris worked on in 18811883. Designed for block-printed cotton, Windrush highlights the creative approach Morris took to revealing elements from the natural world in his decorative furnishing fabrics.

Before Dutch still life painting developed, artists illuminated handwritten manuscripts to add emotional power to a written work. A celebrated practitioner of this style was Joris Hoefnagel. Reproduced here is a page he illuminated for theMira calligraphiae monumenta,a mid-16th-century manuscript by Georg Bocskay.

The design reproduced here centres around a sensitive plant surrounded by other richly hued flowers, foliage and butterflies. The binding was used forThe Sensitive Plant and Early Poemsby Percy Bysshe Shelley and is a celebration of the creative spirit.

Before Dutch still life painting developed, artists illuminated handwritten manuscripts to add emotional power to a written work. A celebrated practitioner of this style was Joris Hoefnagel. Reproduced here is a page he illuminated for theMira calligraphiae monumenta,a mid-16th-century manuscript by Georg Bocskay.

Inspired by a 17th-century Italian book binding, Viola showcases a floral pattern and rosette motif. Book bindings from this period are characterized by the ornamental richness of the covers central area. Featuring sweeping tendrils in a centralized diamond shape, this is a classic example of the eras bookbinding style.