William Morris's Study, 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 William Morris study, where he worked and kept his collection of rare books. In the foreground, an illuminated manuscript can be seen, a print of Botticelli’s Primavera is hung on the right-hand wall in the background.