DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18975#0021
INTRODUCTION TO VOL. XV
lx this volume we take up the third brauch of the work which mainly
occupied Ruskin during the years 1856-186(H—namely, the teaching of
drawing. In connexion with this work he published in 1857
q/' and in 1859 77n? o/* To those two
books are added, in this volume, the revised lessons in drawing, which he
entitled ZaKW of /%o/<?. This book belongs to a much later date
(1877-1878), but is here included on account of its topical connexion
with the earlier books.
I
o/' Drawing* originated somewhat in the same manner
as Aca&wy Ao^ay. We have seen (Vol. XIV. p. xx.) how that series
of criticisms upon the exhibitions of the year was undertaken as a kind
of " circular letter " in answer to requests for RuskiiVs opinion and advice
about works of current art. He had from a much earlier date been in
the habit of giving drawing lessons by letter, as his ifo a Coiiggv
ArigyaZ (1842) show; ^ and after the publication of the hrst volume of
Tfo&rrn AaiaYgr.y he was with increasing frequency asked by readers of his
books for advice and assistance with regard to the practice of drawing.
Such requests came from all sorts and conditions of men and women,
from humble students, otherwise unknown to him, and from great ladies
or dear friends. Among workmen who sought his aid in this way was
Thomas Dixon, the cork-cutter at Sunderland, to whom he afterwards
addressed the letters which form the volume entitled Abng a?a/ 7Wg.
Ruskin was at all times ready to give of his best to those in whom he
saw a sincere desire to proht by what he might have to bestow. He had
i See Vol. XIII. pp. xvii.-xix. ; Vol. XIV. p. xix.
^ Vol. I. pp. 462-469. See also a long letter, of a similar kind, to Acland, given
at pp. 101-104 of J. B. Atlay's Afemoir o/* S'ir Afenry Ac&tnd, 1903, and
reprinted in a later volume of this edition. In this letter, written about 1844, Ruskin
remarks: "I know of no book which is a sudicient guide in this study. Most
artists learn their rules mechanically, and never trouble themselves about the reason
of them."
lx this volume we take up the third brauch of the work which mainly
occupied Ruskin during the years 1856-186(H—namely, the teaching of
drawing. In connexion with this work he published in 1857
q/' and in 1859 77n? o/* To those two
books are added, in this volume, the revised lessons in drawing, which he
entitled ZaKW of /%o/<?. This book belongs to a much later date
(1877-1878), but is here included on account of its topical connexion
with the earlier books.
I
o/' Drawing* originated somewhat in the same manner
as Aca&wy Ao^ay. We have seen (Vol. XIV. p. xx.) how that series
of criticisms upon the exhibitions of the year was undertaken as a kind
of " circular letter " in answer to requests for RuskiiVs opinion and advice
about works of current art. He had from a much earlier date been in
the habit of giving drawing lessons by letter, as his ifo a Coiiggv
ArigyaZ (1842) show; ^ and after the publication of the hrst volume of
Tfo&rrn AaiaYgr.y he was with increasing frequency asked by readers of his
books for advice and assistance with regard to the practice of drawing.
Such requests came from all sorts and conditions of men and women,
from humble students, otherwise unknown to him, and from great ladies
or dear friends. Among workmen who sought his aid in this way was
Thomas Dixon, the cork-cutter at Sunderland, to whom he afterwards
addressed the letters which form the volume entitled Abng a?a/ 7Wg.
Ruskin was at all times ready to give of his best to those in whom he
saw a sincere desire to proht by what he might have to bestow. He had
i See Vol. XIII. pp. xvii.-xix. ; Vol. XIV. p. xix.
^ Vol. I. pp. 462-469. See also a long letter, of a similar kind, to Acland, given
at pp. 101-104 of J. B. Atlay's Afemoir o/* S'ir Afenry Ac&tnd, 1903, and
reprinted in a later volume of this edition. In this letter, written about 1844, Ruskin
remarks: "I know of no book which is a sudicient guide in this study. Most
artists learn their rules mechanically, and never trouble themselves about the reason
of them."