When the name Archibald Knox is mentioned, it often elicits blank stares. However, this artist and designer, born on the Isle of Man in 1864 and passing away in 1933, is highly regarded in design history with admirers worldwide. Knox’s work spanned various movements such as the Arts and Crafts Movement, Celtic Revival, Art Nouveau, and Modernism. Known for his fluid designs that combined Celtic and Art Nouveau elements, he became a prominent figure in the Modern Style movement and a sought-after designer for Liberty of London’s metalwork.
Present-day Manx artist Nicola Dixon, inspired by Knox’s work, praises the fluidity and life-like quality of his designs. Knox’s influence can be seen in Dixon’s Celtic-inspired artwork, showcasing his ability to modernize ancient Celtic styles.
Knox was responsible for creating 80% of Liberty’s silverware during its peak, shaping the ‘Liberty style’ recognized across Europe. Despite his significant contributions, Knox received little recognition during his lifetime due to Liberty’s policy of anonymity for designers and Knox’s private nature. However, from the 1960s onwards, Knox’s work began to be rediscovered and celebrated, becoming highly collectible. Hollywood actor Brad Pitt is a notable collector of Knox’s work, with pieces valued at significant amounts.
In 2025, the Manx Museum in Douglas is hosting the largest exhibition of Knox’s work, featuring over 200 pieces ranging from silverware to paintings and furniture. This exhibition offers a glimpse into Knox’s legacy and why he deserves wider recognition as a Victorian polymath. The vibrant exhibition space at the National Art Gallery in the Manx Museum showcases Knox’s work in a fresh and modern way that captivates visitors. Lead designer Christine Gleave explains that the exhibition aims to be contemporary yet relevant, providing a new perspective on Knox’s timeless designs. „It could have been simple to use silver on black, but I wanted it to really catch your eye as you passed by, and the purple represents Manx heather. This ties into Knox’s love for the environment and how he incorporated natural colors into his art.
This connection to the Manx landscape is evident throughout his work. Born in Tromode, near Douglas, Knox was deeply influenced by his surroundings, from the ancient Celtic and Norse stones to the ever-changing landscapes and weather. Even when he moved to England in 1897 to work with Christopher Dresser and later as a teacher at Kingston School of Art, his island home remained his main source of inspiration.
„As a Manx artist myself, I understand the bond with the island’s landscape,“ says Nicola, who has studied Knox’s work for over three decades. „When you internalize the natural shapes of the Manx coast and hills, they become part of your artistic expression. Knox’s work has a perfect ergonomic quality, as yacht designer William Fife once said, ‚If it looks right, it is right.‘ That’s exactly what Knox achieved with his flowing Celtic designs.“
The exhibition beautifully highlights this connection to nature, including an AI-generated animation that brings one of Knox’s landscape paintings to life. „Archibald Knox is known as ‚The man who could paint the wind,‘ so that sparked the idea,“ says Christine. „I also wanted to introduce something more dynamic in a gallery of static objects.“
Personally, I found the effect mesmerizing. Clouds move across a Manx landscape, waters ripple, and you can feel Knox’s incredible ability to capture the island’s atmosphere. It’s a subtle yet powerful use of modern technology that helps visitors connect with the artist’s vision.
As you explore the exhibition, you’ll see how versatile Knox was. From Liberty metalwork to watercolors, furniture design, and illuminated manuscripts like ‚The Deer’s Cry,‘ his talent shines through. Knox reinvented ancient Celtic designs, giving them a more flowing, organic quality, rather than rigid geometric patterns.
„When I first encountered Knox’s work with Celtic interlace, particularly ‚The Deer’s Cry,‘ it completely changed my own artistic approach,“ Nicola shares. „There’s something almost spiritual about working with these Celtic designs. I spent months developing triple spiral motifs inspired by Knox’s work, and when I displayed them, people had strong reactions. One woman even said she was having visions from the artwork. They seem to have an energy that transcends the visual—they almost vibrate with a presence.“
Knox’s ability to reimagine ancient motifs for the modern world is a key reason why he is so highly regarded in the art world.