Lectures on Architecture and Painting - John Ruskin - 1854
8/13/24John Ruskin was a prominent English intellectual and polymath of the Victorian era who lived from 1819 to 1900[1][2]. He was a multifaceted individual who made significant contributions in various fields:Art Critic and TheoristRuskin first gained widespread recognition with his work "Modern Painters" (1843), a passionate defense of J.M.W. Turner's paintings[1]. He championed the idea that the principal role of an artist is "truth to nature"[1]. His art criticism was influential in shaping 19th-century English painting and art criticism, bringing Romantic ideas to the forefront[2].Writer and ScholarRuskin was a prolific writer who authored works on diverse subjects including:- Art history- Architecture- Geology- Botany- Literature- Political economyHis writing style evolved from elaborate prose to plainer language to communicate his ideas more effectively[1].Social ReformerIn the latter part of his career, Ruskin's focus shifted towards social and political issues[1]. He critiqued modern industrial society and championed the value of craftsmanship and the relationship between laborers and their work[4]. His ideas influenced the Arts and Crafts movement led by William Morris[4].Educator and ConservationistRuskin became the first Slade Professor of Fine Art at Oxford University in 1869[1]. He was also a pioneering conservationist who foresaw environmental issues like the greenhouse effect over a century ago[3].ArtistThough an amateur, Ruskin was a skilled draftsman and watercolorist. He created numerous sketches and paintings of nature, architecture, and ornamental details[4].Ruskin's influence extended well beyond his lifetime, with his ideas on art, society, and nature continuing to resonate in fields such as environmentalism, sustainability, and craft[1][3].Source: Perplexity.ai--Gabrielle Lykeyword: 19thCentury,
