14 January - 28 March 2013

'A Noble Invention': Ruskin's Daguerreotypes of Venice and Verona

The 125 daguerreotype plates in the Whitehouse Collection (now in the Ruskin Library, under the care of the Ruskin Foundation) form one of the most important surviving groups of early photographs in the world.  Following exhibitions of those covering Tuscany (2010), Northern France (2011) and Switzerland (2012), this last display focuses on the 28 plates of Venetian subjects and 16 of Verona. 

Made between 1845 and 1852, most are of St. Mark’s basilica, with three details of the Ducal Palace in Venice and one of the Palazzo Bernardo a Polo, near the Rialto.   The Verona subjects include the Cathedral and the churches of San Zeno and Santa Anastasia, as well as the remarkable medieval Scaliger Tombs.

Drawings by Ruskin, contemporary engravings published by him, and manuscript material relating to The Stones of Venice accompany this rich display.

Daguerreotype of St Marks', Venice

Opening times:
Gallery: - Monday-Friday 10am-4pm - during Exhibitions (closed weekends and Bank Holidays)
Reading Room: - Monday-Friday 10am-4pm - (by appointment only)

Ruskin Library - Lancaster University - Bailrigg - Lancaster - LA1 4YH - England
Tel: +44 (0) 1524 593587 - e-mail: ruskin.library@lancaster.ac.uk