The Portland daily press., 1878-03-05
John Ruskin.

John RuskiD, art critic and author, died on
Saturday. He was born in London, February.
1S19 His father was wealthy merchant, who
lett him large fortune, and he was educated
as gentleman commoner at Christ Church
College, Oxford. III 1889 he took the Newde-
gate prize for English poetry, and graduated in
1S42. From that time he devoted himself to
water-color painting and architecture in the
Chief cities in Europe, and studied under Con-
ley Fielding and j. d. Harding His first pub
liShed writing was pamphlet defending Tur
her and the modern English school of land
scape painting. This was subsequently enlarged
and was issued in 1843 as "Modern Painters;
Their Superiority in the Art OF Landscape
Painting to the Ancient Masters. BY a Gradu-
ate of Oxford" This book attracted great at
tention from the first, and has always been one
of R1skin's best known works having nassed
through many editions The brilliancy of his
style made his writings read, ,<but art critics
were generally hostile to the new doctrines he
advocated; The second volume of this work
was issued in 1876 1t was entitled sOf the
Imaginative and Theoretic Faculties" and was
review of the leading Itslian painters Of
whatever school. He prepared for the work by
residence in Italy. In February and Aprii.
1906 Two more volumes "Of Many Things"
and Mountain Beauty" were added to the
work, aud fifth, "Leaf Beauty" "Cloud
Beauty" etc., was published 10 1860. contain.
ing Illustrations made by himself But Rus
k1a's earlier works were more devoted to archi-
Lamps of Architecture in 1851 "The Stones
Of Venice, Examples of the Architecture of
Venice, selected and drawn to Measurement
from the Edifices," all illustrated by himself:
Notes on the Construction of Sheepfolds," a
treatise OF church doctrine aud discipline;
"Preraphaelitisn;" ssThe King of the Golden
River, or ''The Black Brothers; a Legend Of
Styris," fairy tale was written in 1Si1. but
not for publication, which was not printed till
6 food: In 1874 ne wrote pamphlet on The
Some OF its Relations to the Prospects
of Art" and Part First of "Gotto and
his Works in Padua;" In 1855, Lectures
part of "Giotto," and "Notes on Some of the
Principal Pictures Exhibited at the Rooms of
the Royal Academy, the Society of painters in
Water-Colors," etc, which were also contin-
ned in 1856 '57, '58 and SO, in which he high
y approved the paintings of the new school.
az uMSetes hp up the Tpsper Gallery
the great artist severely. In 1857, the "Politi-
Cal Economy of Art" came from his fertile
pen and in the same year "The Elements of
Drawing in Three Letters to Beginners" The
production of 1858 was "The Cambridge School
OF Art" an inaugural address at that UNIVERSE
ty; for 1859 the. Elements of Perspective" ar
ranged for the use of schools, 'The Two Paths
being Lectures on Art and its Application to
Decoration and Manufacture" and the Oxford
Museum" with DR.. Henry w. Acland; for
1862 'Unto this Last" four essays on the first
principles of political economy for 1854. '.Ss
same and Lilies" two lecsures delivered in
Manchester, for 1865 can Eoauiry into some
OF the Conditions at Present Affecting the Stndv
OF Architecture in our Schools aud "rhe
Etnlcs OF the Dust, ten Lectures to Lutte
housewives on the Elements of Crystaliz atom:
Tor 1866 The Crown of Wild Olive, Three Lee.
snIes lures on Work, Traffic and War; for 1867,
nVe letters TO working man of Sunderland on
the laws of work; for 1869 "rhe Queen of the
Ar, being study of the Greek Myths
OF CLOUD and Storm" for 1870, "Lectures on
Art, given at Oxford; for 1872, 'grhe Eagles
Nest" and "Attra Penteliei," book on the
elements of sculpture; for 1874, "Ariadne Flor
entina," treatise on engraving. Mr.. Ruskin
He wrote the text for Turner's "Hsrbors Of
Eugland," and was frequent contributor to
the periodicals. For several years from Janu-
ary, 1871, he wrote series of monthly letters
to workmen under the title of "Fors Clayig.
era" The latest of his writings are "Morn-
Jugs in Florence" "Proserpina," 'Studies of
Wayside Flowers Loves Meiuie" "Notes
on Some of the Pictures in the Exhibition of
the Royal Academy" 'Deucalion'' and "Val
d. Arno." In April 1867, Mr.. Ruskin was ap-
pointed Rede lecturer at Cambridge, and May
10 the Seuate gave him the degree of l.. l.. ID.
In IS69 ne was made Sade professor of fine art
at Oxford. In 1872 oxford University excepted
ment to pay master Of drawing in the Taylor
galleries. The terms of the gift were modified
somewhat by the university. Mr.. Ruskin, be-
sides his devotion to art, cherished q constant
interest In social matters, and labored for the
benefit Of the working classes.