Ruskin's art criticism

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33065, 4 November 1972, Page 10

Ruskin's art criticism

Sublime and Instructive: Letters from John Ruskin to Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, Anna Blunden and Ellen Heaton. Edited by Virginia Surtees. Michael Joseph. 254 pp. Appendices and Index. The title of this volume is taken from a letter written by Ruskin to his father and it sums up very adequately not only the tone of his letters in this book but that of most of his writing. Constantly behind his enthusiasm for painting in all his critical writing can be seen the fervour of a moralist. In a way very typical of the Victorian age he endeavours to attach a moral quality to the visual faculties. To Ruskin, the greatest pictures were those which he felt embodied great universal truths. In these letters to three very different women can be seen a continual effort on Ruskin’s part to improve the work and the taste of the recipient. The editor, Virginia Surtees, had great problems with the precise dating of these letters but indicates clearly that the three correspondences began in 1855 shortly after the annulment of Ruskin’s unsuccessful marriage to Effie Grey. After 1860, the energy and enthusiasm of the writer slackens and the letters are infrequent, strained and less easy, foreshadowing the depression and breakdown which were eventually to overwhelm Ruskin. The answering letters which the women wrote have all been destroyed, presumably by Ruskin himself but Virginia Surtees has provided brief biographical sketches of each, showing clearly their differing personalities and the interest which correspondence with them held for Ruskin. Miss Surtees is an excellent editor. Apart from a short foreword and these short biographies at the beginning of each series of letters, she intrudes very little, but the letters are carefully selected and annotated and there is a comprehensive index. Ruskin wrote "I never wrote a letter in my life which all the world are not welcome to read if they will.” Many people will be glad of an opportunity to take him up on that for these letters provide easy and fascinating reading. The range of subject matter is varied, the insights offered into the writer’s character illuminating, and the instruction given on the practice and appreciation of art is valuable. Probably Ruskin’s greatest contribution as an art critic Ties in his ability to stimulate interest; to help his readers look intensely and perceptively at works of art. This ability shows as clearly in these letters as in his formal criticsm and thanks are due to Miss Surtees for so competently editing so worth-while a publication.