The Principles of Ornament

"The Principles of Ornament" by James Ward is a detailed exploration of ornamental art from the 19th century, focusing on key concepts and methods across different historical styles. It highlights the role of ornamentation in architecture and design, stressing how art should be both beautiful and useful. The book begins by explaining why studying ornamental art is valuable, even if you're not an artist. Ward explains how understanding plant forms can help create better decorations. True ornament, according to Ward, should make objects look better by enhancing their shapes, not hiding them. The initial chapters provide basic ideas about ornament and how it's categorized, setting the stage for understanding the connection between nature and artistic designs.