In his later years, theoretical writing became an important part of his output. He joined the Socialist League in 1883 and produced many designs for the working class movement. He was also the first president of the Art Workers' Guild in 1884, and president of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society between 1888 and 1890. This involvement in the Art and Crafts movement led to a number of works on the history and theory of design such as Ideals in Art (1905), The Bases of Design (1898) and Line and Form (1900). His Reminiscences appeared in 1907 and an exhibition covering all aspects of his career was held at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester in 1989. — Hilary Morgan
Biographical Material
- Biographical Introduction by Hilary Morgan
- Walter Crane on his childhood and early influences
- 13 Holland Street, Walter Crane's home in Kensington
Writings — Poetry
- “The Sirens Three” (a 39-page illustrated poem in the form of illuminated pages)
- “Thoughts in a Hammock” (a 5-page illustrated poem in the form of illuminated pages)
- “Rondeau” (a 1-page illustrated poem in the form of an illuminated page)
- “A Herald of Spring” (a 4-page illustrated poem in the form of illuminated pages)
Writings — Criticism and Art Theory
Work in the Visual Arts
- Paintings and watercolors
- Drawings
- Postcards
- Book Illustration
- Sculpture and decorative panels
- Stained-glass
- Wallpaper
- Imperial Federation Map
Bibliography of Books by Crane
An Artist's Reminiscences. London, Methuen & company, 1907.
The Bases of Design. London: G. Bell and Sons, 1909.
Flora's Feast: A Masque of Flowers Penned & Pictured by Walter Crane. London: Cassell, 1892.
Of the Decorative Illustration of Books Old and New. London: G. Bell, 1896.
The Claims of Decorative Art. Lawrence and Bullen, 1892.
Secondary Materials
Morgan, Hilary and Nahum, Peter. Burne-Jones, The Pre-Raphaelites and Their Century. London: Peter Nahum, 1989.
Spencer, Isobel. Walter Crane. New York: Macmillan, 1975.
Last modified 9 January 2021