Egyptian No. 3 1856

Owen Jones made this chromolithograph of Egyptian column capitals, or the tops of columns, at some point during his career as an architect, designer, and theorist of color. As one of the leaders of the British Design Reform movement, Jones was preoccupied with establishing a new kind of design aesthetic in the mid-19th century. In the mid-1850s, Jones published his most famous and influential book, "The Grammar of Ornament", filled with colorful illustrations, such as this one. Jones believed in the power of decoration to improve society and bring beauty into everyday life. In the book, he argues that ornament should be derived from nature but also be stylized and adapted to the materials and techniques of production. By studying historical examples like these Egyptian columns, designers and manufacturers could create objects that were both functional and beautiful. Jones’ approach to design combined historical research with a utopian vision for a more aesthetically pleasing society. His legacy can be found in museums, design schools, and the wider culture of visual taste.