Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 13,750 GBP
12.1 by 12.1 cm.; 4 7/8 by 4 7/8 in.
signed and inscribed l.l.: Juniper / J. Ruskin 1863
watercolour over pencil with bodycolour on blue paper
Ruskin was fascinated by natural history and the science of botany. Dating from 1863, the present study, with its intense focus on the details of nature, is typical of his drawing during this period. The miniature precision of the brush-stokes recalls William Henry Hunt's (1790-1864) meticulously painted still-lifes. Ruskin had known Hunt's work from an early age, as his parents had owned several examples of that artist's work. When Ruskin came to write his Modern Painters (published in 1843) Hunt's work and technique received high praise.
I have kept thinking of this image since I first saw it a couple of days ago . . .I'm struck by Ruskin's ability to SEE and then to communicate what he saw. I much appreciate you sharing these images.
ReplyDeleteThank you for looking. That was Ruskin's skill really, the ability to look and see things differently.
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