Highlights in the De Morgan Museum

In Greek mythology, Helen was the daughter of Zeus (King of the Gods) and Leda (a human). Legend has it that Helen (the wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta) was carried away by Paris (the son of the King of Troy), an act which precipitated the siege and destruction of Troy. Some writers have suggested...

In Greek legend, Cassandra (the daughter of King Priam – the King of Troy) was passionately loved by Apollo. He promised to grant her whatever she asked, if she loved him in return. Cassandra asked for the gift of prophecy, however, once she received her powers she refused to keep her part of the ba...

William knew from a young age that he wanted to be an artist. This self-portrait was painted before he had any art training. Against the wishes of his father, the famous mathematician Augustus De Morgan, William had lessons at Cary’s art school, from the age of 19. He trained to draw antique sculpture in order that he would earn a place at the Royal Academy Schools. William’s drawings from this period are exceptional. William entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1859. However, he completed just four out of the mandatory eight years required to become a Royal Academician. Instead, he began a career in decorative arts by making stained glass alongside William Morris, who was a lifelong friend, before setting up the ceramic business in 1872. Conserved in 2019 with the aid of a grant from the AIM Pilgrim Trust Conservation Scheme

This is the earlier of two portraits of William De Morgan, painted by his wife Evelyn. According to the signature at the top right of the work, it was painted in Florence, in 1893. In the painting, William is depicted in his blue artists’ robes against a tiled wall. He stares solemnly at the viewe...