Tomb Of William And Evelyn De Morgan

The Tomb of William and Evelyn De Morgan is a Grade II listed monument located in Brookwood Cemetery. It commemorates William de Morgan (1839-1917), a notable artist, potter, inventor, and novelist, and his wife Evelyn (née Pickering) (1855-1919). The memorial is made of Carrara marble and features a tall neo-Grec stele.

The design includes a rectangular base with an inscription, above which is a relief created by Evelyn de Morgan. This relief depicts an angel with outstretched arms, pleading with a female figure representing Death, who holds an inverted torch and turns her back. At the top, there is an eared pediment containing a pair of hearts. The inscription describes William's accomplishments and concludes with the phrase, "Sorrow is only of the earth / The life of the spirit is joy."

William de Morgan is known for reviving the art of lustreware pottery in Chelsea, drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern designs, and he collaborated with William Morris while operating a factory in Fulham. Evelyn was a figural painter influenced by the 15th-century Florentine painters, a style that resonates in this memorial, which is a late example of 'Pre-Raphaelite twilight' works. This tomb is one of several memorials at Brookwood dedicated to prominent artists of the time. The attribution of the monument to Sir George Frampton is subject to some debate.