Drawing Room, Kelmscott House, illustration to Mackail's 'Life of Morris'

One of a number of drawings made by New to illustrate John William Mackail's 'Life of William Morris' published by Longmans, Green & Co. 1899. Mackail was Edward Burne-Jones’s son-in-law and knew William Morris personally. He interviewed various colleagues and associates of Morris when compiling his official biography.

This illustration shows the Drawing Room at Kelmscott House, Morris’s home in Hammersmith. His ‘bird’ woven textile is hanging on the walls behind a medieval style settle. The floors are covered with various rugs and the fireplace is adorned with William de Morgan lusterware ceramics.