'Apple' by William Morris

William Morris’s Apple design is a richly patterned textile that exemplifies his belief in beauty rooted in nature and skilled craftsmanship. First produced in 1885, the design presents a dense, harmonious arrangement of apple trees, their branches laden with fruit and curling leaves. The apples themselves appear full and rounded, nestled among foliage that seems to grow organically across the surface, creating a sense of abundance and quiet vitality.

The composition is carefully balanced, with repeating motifs that interlock without feeling rigid or mechanical. Morris achieves this through subtle variations in line and form, allowing the pattern to flow naturally, as though it were growing rather than being imposed. The intertwining branches guide the eye across the design, encouraging close looking and rewarding attention with intricate detail. Despite the complexity of the pattern, there is a calm rhythm to the design, reflecting Morris’s sensitivity to the natural world.

Colour plays a crucial role in Apple. Typically printed in deep, muted tones, the palette often combines soft greens, warm reds and earthy blues. These colours are deliberately restrained, evoking the richness of medieval tapestries and early printed textiles rather than the harsh brightness of industrial dyes. The effect is one of depth and warmth, lending the design a timeless quality.

Beyond its visual appeal, Apple embodies Morris’s wider ideals. It reflects his rejection of mass-produced ornament and his advocacy for handcraft, integrity of materials and meaningful design. By drawing inspiration from fruit trees—a familiar and productive element of the English countryside—Morris celebrates the dignity of everyday nature. Apple is therefore not merely decorative, but expressive of a philosophy in which art, labour and the natural environment are closely and harmoniously connected.