Connections

16 October 2010 – 15 May 2011 | Childrens Gallery

Owen Jones Francis Bedford The grammar of ornament 1856
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Special Government Grant 1972
more detail on this leaf
browse The grammar of ornament

The grammar of ornament

Owen Jones was inspired to produce the The grammar of ornament after viewing London’s Great Exhibition of 1851. The Great Exhibition was held in its own specially constructed building, Crystal Palace. It included Islamic art from countries such as India, Turkey and Egypt, and was influential in broadening interest in the arts of Islam throughout Europe.

The The grammar of ornament reproduced ornamental features from around the world including ‘Arabian’, ‘Turkish’, ‘Persian’, and ‘Moresque’ designs. It provided creative inspiration for designers and architects and is still influential today.

Browse The grammar of ornament
Download The grammar of ornament worksheet. (pdf 410 kb)