Arts & Crafts -Table of Contents

John Ruskin

John Ruskin (1819-1900) was an artist, scientist, poet, environmentalist, philosopher, and the preeminent art critic of his time. In terms of art, he provided the impetus that gained respectability for the Pre-Raphaelites.

Ruskin was not an architect, but as writer (Seven Lamps of Architecture, 1849, and The Stones of Venice, 1851-53) he influenced the return from Neoclassicism to the earlier Gothic style. The Stones of Venice, contains the celebrated chapter on "The Nature of Gothic," which for the first time equated the beauties of medieval architecture and decoration with the pleasure taken by the workman in producing them. This influenced William Morris.

-- Source: Arts & Crafts Movement: John Ruskin

See also:

• John Ruskin, William Morris and the Gothic Revival