The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-09-02

JOHN RUsKIY, THE MOST ELOQUENT AND oRIGI-
NAL OF ALL WRITER'S UPON ART.
AT this writing John Ruskin lies between
life and death. He is at deaths door, but
may recover. As he stands at the head Of all
writers upon architecture and art, English
and foreign, and of all time, and has wide
circle of readers in this country, the presenta-
ton of his portrait and a sketch of his life is
opportune.
He was born in London in the year 1919.
In 1912 he was graduated at Christ Church,
oxford, where, three years before, he had
gained the Newdigate prize for English
poetry. The first volume of his Modern
Painters was published in 1913, and the
fifth and last in 1850. This is the one of his
numerous works which is the most read. 1t
embodies a treatise on the principles of art,
and is enriched with descriptions of nature
which are unsurpassed for eloquence.
The publication of the first volume
raised storm which greatly
promoted the popularity of the book. Its
design was to prove the superiority of mod
ern landscape painters, Turner above them
all, TO the old masters. Conservatives in art
strongly opposed this position, and the con-
test of opinion is memorable in the history
of art and literature. When, in after years
Ruskin saw the Turner collection in Marl-
borough House. his love of truth led to the
considerable modification of his early and
enthusiastic admiration for the artist, but
the views expounded in Modern Painters
have greatly influenced and improved recent
art.
Mr. Ruskin published "The Seven Lamps
of Architecture in lS49, and in 1S5l-53
THE Stones of Venice" Both were
written for the purpose of promot-
ing a better style of domestic architec-
ture. They were adorned with illustra-
tons made after the hand of the author
A later work, 1.-The Study of Architecture in
Our Schools" published in 1865, contains
studies and investigations founded upon
Mr.. Ruskin's observations of Venetian build
ings. The complete list of his works shows
him TO be one of the most voluminous as
well as aDlest writers of the century In 1867
he received the degree of LII. ID. from the
University of Cambridge, which also gave
him professorship. Two years earlier Ok
ford had made him Slade Professor of the
Fine Arts. lie showed his desire to advance
art education by giving $4,000 to endow a
Master of Drawing at Oxford His ''Ele-
ments of Drawing" is valuable and thor
ouglly practical treatise. Political
Economy of Art is successful
endeavor to prove the scope, the
caracities and the utility of art. Be-
sides many other lectures, essays and
pamphlets upon subjects related to archi-
lecture and art in their proper aspects,
Ruskin has written upon morals social
problems and other questions in no way re-
lated to the studies and labors which have
given him pre-eminence. 'Fors Clavigera''
is work designed to promote the interests
of workingmen. 1t has failed to awaken
that interest in the class addressed which
Mr.. Ruskin had hoped to awaken.
John Ruskin is noble, free-handed man.
While, as a matter of course not equally
happy in treating all the subjects which
have engaged his prolific pen and eloquent
voice. the greatest art critic of the world
never speaks from press or platform without
exciting the interest of cultured persons.