Owen Jones (1809-1874) was a British architect, designer, and writer who played a major role in the development of the Victorian design aesthetic. Born in London, Jones studied at the Royal Academy of Arts and the Royal Institute of British Architects before beginning his career as an architect and designer.
In the 1830s, Jones became interested in the revival of medieval design and the use of historical styles in architecture and decorative arts. He was particularly influenced by the work of Augustus Pugin, who advocated for a return to traditional craftsmanship and the use of Gothic architecture in contemporary design.
Jones became a prominent figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, which sought to promote traditional crafts and design in the face of industrialization. He became involved in a number of important design projects, including the decoration of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851, where
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he was responsible for the colour scheme and decorative motifs.
Jones was also a prolific writer on design and architecture, and published several influential works, including "The Grammar of Ornament" (1856), a comprehensive survey of decorative styles from around the world, which is still considered a classic work in the field of design history.
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