Beauty in Simplicity highlights the art pottery of the early twentieth century Arts and Crafts movement that influenced studio art pottery and contemporary ceramics today. Door County art historian Virginia Jones Maher pairs photographs of original Arts and Crafts pottery with quotations from artists, designers, and architects, all practitioners of the movement, including William Morris, Louis Sullivan, Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright.
The photographs of these simple and beautiful vases, bowls, and jardineres are taken by Maher. She has chosen apt quotations to accompany each image, highlighting the ideals of the movement that celebrated simple lines, utility and nature, a turn away from industrialization and mass production as well as a rejection of extravagance.
The book, which celebrates beauty, is in itself beautiful. The hard-cover, Smyth-sewn 106 page book is printed on high quality paper. With a lovely presentation, Beauty in Simplicity offers both education and delight!
