Fit for an Emperor
Wendy Morrison trains her eye on the opulent Mughal empire for her latest collection
With the V&A currently celebrating the golden age of the Mughal Court with The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture & Opulence, this time and place in history – the Indian subcontinent of the 16th and 17th centuries – continues to inspire the contemporary design world. Wendy Morrison Designs’ latest A Mughal Painting collection is a joyful dip into the past.
Consisting of two hand-knotted rugs and a runner, plus an embroidered wall hanging, crewelwork cushion and a wallcovering, the collection is unashamedly bold in scale, yet its initial inspiration was something much smaller, the miniature paintings of 16th-century Mughal Hindustan. “I first came across Mughal miniatures on a visit to India,” says Morrison. “This style of painting, originally seen in book illustrations, combines pure, vivid colours, fine, delicate lines, a tradition of visual storytelling and influence taken from nature, resonates deeply with me.”
Horses takes centre stage in all of the collection bar the runner: known for their beauty and stamina, Mughal horses exemplified the empire’s wealth and military prowess. These handsome steeds are placed against a backdrop of stylised nature, with elaborate floral borders that recall the intricate book pages that the Morrison’s collection draws upon for inspiration, and a bright colour palette that echoes the colourful world of the empire, with its precious stones, gold and painted manuscripts.
Morrison’s ethos is to surround yourself with things that bring you joy and happiness; and while the Mughal empire may have faded, her designs bring it back to life with her signature uplifting optimism.
