Christopher Dresser (1834-1904) was a Victorian from a humble background, but who is best described as being the first Industrial Designer. A retrospective of Dresser's work will be held at the Cooper Hewitt Museum, New York City, March 2004 - 25 July 2004 which has received considerable attention.
Dresser trained 1847-1854 under the botanist John Lindley and in 1857 was named professor of "Botany Applied to the Fine Arts" at the school of design, Kensington, following his combined interest in decorative arts and science. He was unsuccessful in winning the position of Chair of Botany at the University of London in 1860 and so instead embarked on a career in design. Dresser used modern-day techniques of marketing his designs with launch parties and media coverage to publicize his message that inexpensive, affordable items need not be unattractive. This design philosophy was embraced by many middle-class Victorians.
Christopher Dresser supplied designs to the most eminent manufacturers in Britain and featured in this book are examples, from metalware, ceramics and glass to tiles, textiles, wallpaper and cast-iron furnishings. Christopher Dresser will provide a comprehensive overview of the man as a designer and his influence as a design theorist, with much of his work shown in stunning detail.
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