The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-30
An ARTIST AND A CRITIC.
John Ruskin's Home, Drawing Room,
Study, Dining Room and
Bedroom.
.
Rare Portraits and Examples Of
Turner's and Some Of Rus
kin's Own.

Beautiful Representations Of All Tastes
and Pursuits In His study-His
Cherry Orchard.
In the November number of Murray's
Magazine il an interesting description of
Brentwood, Coniston, John Ruskin's
Home" from which the following extracts
are taken:
"We pass through the hall, where, facing
the visitor, are two striking female figures
by Burne-Jones, done originally for tapes
try; one represents figure Of Justice and
the other Cleopatra. Entering the drawing
room, some of Mr.. Ruskin's own beautiful
drawings are passed, notable one being
that Of San Miniato at Rome. The whole
characteristic Of what may be termed the
upholstery Of the house is that of solid COM
fort. so-called artistic furniture and papers
know il not, and indeed they would be sadly
out Of place on walls papered with Turn
era and inhabited by thirteenth
century Examinations. The drawing
room shows, perhaps, more than
any other room, Mr.. Ruskin's catholic
spirit in art; here We have charming child
portrait of little Gainsborough girl, a
great favorite with its owner, and fasci-
mating picture for all beholders; then there
10 also Burne-Jones' Fair Rosamund.' in
the act Of putting up her white signal for
tho approach Of Henry. Facing the win
dow ID Mr.. Ruskin's own copy Of that very
characteristic Botticelli, 'Zipporah,' in the
Sistino chapel, and very beautiful draw
ing, also by him, Of the entrance to st.
Marks at Venice fne, delicate piece Of
work, In his most minute and conscien-
tiously exact style. Then there are black
and white sketohes by Ruskin and Prout.
and two birds nests and some fruit in old
William Hunts most characteristic style
especial favoritss Of Mr.. Ruskin's, and
which, indeed. as samples Of their particu-
lar art, could not be excelled.
I'm the new dining room, which Ruskin
built some ten years ago, the writer notices
among other treasures three portraits by
Northcote of the deepest parsonal and
much artistic interest. The center one
(they are all life size) shows little child
Of e9an niss nth h S h,. and R blue shoes
spanieEa sweet baby. about whose future
imagination might we'll run riot did We not
know now that our best imaginings would
stop very far short of where his has gone
and led others, since those early days when
John Ruskin played AZ child with North
every occasion to introduce into his pic
lures. The child's picture has ON either
side of it two excellent portraits of his
father and mother; that of the father is an
especially strong, characteristic. painting,
of q very fine subject, powerful head and
n w uNsp1
looks out. Mrs. Ruskin's picture bears the
stamp Of an excellent likeness, and makes
il easy to believe in tho somewhat rigor-
ous treatment to which. We learn from
.Pr@terita,' she subjectad her son in early
T. the dining mi xs come ns,s
study. What does not that wonderful
study embrace? No taste, hardly pnr-
suit, but is here represented by some of the
most beautiful things in tho world. Round
the little bow window where Mr.. Ruskin's
low, vide shelf, whore little garden Of
flowers gladdens his eyes; branch Of
sweetbrier and scented heather. tho lovely
white harebells and tiny rock roses, all
have share Of his daily regard. Carefully
placed among them are tho last geological
fessor's interest in his daily walks, collected
in this lovely region whore even stones
have been made to speak his beautiful
thoughts and language to the world at
large. From the window We look straie ht
down on the peaceful waters Of Coniston
ivied chimneys thick and strong like castle
towers whore Sir Philip Sidney loved to
visit Anne, Countess of Pembroke-on to
the broad base Of the old Man,
II have now come to the most important
part Of tho many jewels that Brentwood
contains. To the right of the study door
are four very fine Turner's. First, 'Farnley
Hall in Yorkshire whore Turner spent 80
much of his life, and which is still trea-
sure house of some Of his best work.
'Heysham,' which hangs beside 'Farnley,'
looks right across the Morecambe Sands to
Conistan Old Man. This drawing 10 very
great favorits Of Mr.. Ruskin's. though
Yorkshire, to which he is quite devoted.
Perhaps to the ordinary observer; a delight
full drawing of Richmond in Yorkshire ia
even more attractive than those other two;
anyone knowing the unrivaled position OF
add that Il Is not Yet haunt Of 't the o9diy
mary. tourtst.can imagine how Turner
could treat such subject; the castle
commanding tho whole, the walks of the
castle walls, and, beneath, tho lovely stream
Of 8wale
1T has always been Mr.. Ruskiu's habit
w C0hu80 tuo 1uIUot0 ON 0l6 Walls, ChOO6-
ing some half dozen for his daily food at
ons time. but all around the room in var
tous positions are many moro. Among
them on my last visit there WAS the splen-
did drawing Of the .Spligen'-.the noblest
Alpine drawing Turner ever made'-con-
sidered by its owner the finest in the house. |
and presented to him after his illness in |
1873 BY the many devoted friends who seek |
to do him honor.
Ascending the staircase, which has for
ornament 2 magnificent Tintoret. we open
the second door on the left. which is the
professors bedroom, if such it should be
called; it certainly holds bed, but other
wise picture gallery would be much more
applicable term. The room is small, com
manding the same fine view of Coniston a.
the study. which 10 immediately above: at
one end 10 Q weil-stored bookcase. contain.
ing many modern books one would hardly
expect to see a. Ruskin's choice; among
them very fair davoriug Of the
French novel but Mr.. Ruskin
Is nothing il not catholic in his
tastes, and they ars all the moro valuable