Ruskin and the Decorative Arts

8 October - 22 December 2001

Ruskin's writings contain many references to the practice and principles of good craftsmanship, and even though he followed the common differentiation between the 'fine arts' and the 'lower arts of iron-work, pottery, decorative sculpture, and such like,' he regarded the best old wood-carving and metalwork as equivalent to Gothic sculpture in stone.

Elizabeth Pricket: Pincushion in Ruskin Lace

Lenormant and de Witte: Elite des Monuments Ceramographiques, 1844. Plate 117, Vol. 2. This set of 4 vols belonged to Ruskin

In teaching, he considered that each craft 'can only be learned rightly by the experience of years' and was 'not so much to be taught as to be felt; it is only by repeated touch and continued trial beside the forge or the furnace, that the goldsmith can find out how to govern his gold, or the glass-worker his crystal.' As with drawing, which Ruskin practiced and constantly recommended, he thought that 'it would be well if all of us were good handicraftsmen in some kind.'

John Ruskin (with Millais and Effie): Decorated cusped Gothic window (Edinburgh Lecture Diagram)

John Ruskin (with Millais and Effie): Edinburgh Lecture Diagram - Decorated cusped gothic window

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Ruskin and the Decorative Arts

8 October - 22 December 2001

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