John Ruskin, H.R.W.S. (1819-1900)

The present drawing was engraved for Ruskin's Elements of Drawing. The drawing may have been executed earlier or circa 1857 when it was reproduced. Ruskin says 'Fig. 8 is a bough of Phillyrea so drawn. Do not be afraid of running the leaves into a black mass when they come together; this exercise is only to teach you what the actual shapes of such masses are when seen against the sky'.

Ruskin wrote the Elements of Drawing as three letters addressed to the amateur artist in the belief that everyone could learn to draw and appreciate art.

We are grateful to Dr James S. Dearden for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.