Ruskin, John (1819-1900)

Gypsywort
4 1/2 X 5 6/10 in.
Pen and brown ink
Inscribed: Lycopus Europ[aeu]s, with notes

RF 1379

 

This rough sketch is of a dissected (white) flower of Gipsywort (Lycopus europaeus L). This native species is a member of the Deadnettle family (Lamiaceae), a family which Ruskin wrote about extensively in Proserpina. The written instructions, presumably to a printer or engraver, suggest that the drawing was intended as an illustration for one of Ruskin’s books, perhaps Proserpina.

This entry was researched and written by Professor David Ingram.