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
