John Ruskin 1819–1900

Ruskin was hugely influential personality in Victorian England. He was an artist, art critic, a teacher, writer, social critic and philosopher. He thought that it was fundamental to make links between all subjects and disciplines for example: Science and Religion; Nature and Art. (Museum, n.d.)

 

 

Ruskin the son of a prosperous Wine shipper. He travelled extensively around Europe in this youth, where he developed a talent for prose and poetry. At a young age he studied draughtsmanship and watercolour with Anthony Van Dyck Copley Fielding (1787-1855) and James Duffield Harding (1798-1863).

 

In 1843 Ruskin published Modern Painters, defending J.M.W Turner against attacks on the latter’s work.

 

In 1851 Ruskin helped the Pre-Raphaelites cause by writing two letters to the Times. In the same year authoring the pamphlet Pre-Raphaelitism.

 

Ruskin’s opinions about art were published in the annual Academy Notes (1855-1859)

Fragment of the Alps 1854-1856

Watercolour and opaque watercolour over pencil on paper

33.5 × 49.3 cm (13.2 × 19.4 in)

Havart Art Museum Cambridge, MA