Studio: international art (45.1909)

The Ruskin Museum, Sheffield

“CHARTRES CATHEDRAL FROM THE RIVER” BY T. M. ROOKK

{In the Ruskin Museum, Sheffield)

“ Madonna,” which Ruskin referred to as “ perfect
in all ways, in drawing, in colouring ; on every
part the artist had worked with the utmost toil a
man could give.” Mr. Ruskin obtained this
wonderful picture from Venice, where Verrocchio’s
work as a sculptor is still to be seen to-day. It is
cause for congratulation that he was able to pur-
chase this masterpiece, for as he wrote of it, “ This
picture teaches all I want my pupils to learn of art;
it is one of the most precious pictures in the
country.” Among other pictures in the gallery are
those of which reproductions accompany these lines,
including an interesting drawing by the founder
himself.

A word or two must suffice to refer to the library
and print department, although it is the room
where the booklover will find some of the most
interesting treasures in the museum. Besides
containing a very complete library of Ruskin’s
works, there is one of the most valuable collec-
tions of books on natural history to be found in
any library. There is, for example, the “ Eyton
Collection,” in thirty-eight large folio volumes,
formed by the famous ornithologist, Mr. T. C.
Eyton. Works of geography and travel also form
an important feature of the library ; but the reader
who is on the look-out for fiction will require to go
elsewhere, for the library is a place for students.

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There are also many valu-
able illuminated missals,
manuscripts, beautiful
bindings, books on Greek
and Roman sculpture,
pottery, metal and glass
work, collections of bronze
medals, or early English
gold and silver coins.

Not only is the museum
open on every lawful day,
but it is also open for a
few hours in the afternoon
every Sunday. Visitors
are numbered yearly by
thousands, chiefly from
the city, who have not
been slow to take full ad-
vantage of the privilege
conferred on them. The
museum was founded by
Mr. Ruskin as a place for
students, but many who
cannot be called by this
name have often come to
gaze on the wonderful
wealth in minerals and pictures, and while they may
not possess anything but the most rudimentary
knowledge of Ruskin as a writer they cannot fail
to gain some knowledge, however meagre, of the
noble spirit that animated him when he chose
Sheffield, in the first instance, for the exhibition
of his treasures. For in the words of the late
Prince Leopold, “ We have seen in him a man in
whom the highest gifts of refinement and of genius
reside, who yet has not grudged to give his best to
others ; who has made it his main effort—by
gifts, by teaching, by sympathies—to spread among
his fellow countrymen the power of drawing a full
measure of instruction and happiness from this
wonderful world.”

The future of the museum is a subject that has
an interest for others beside Sheffielders. In
spite of all that may be said by the citizens of the
Midland city, it is a fact that they have not shown
the progressive spirit which Ruskin looked for and
expected, and with which he was so strongly im-
bued. It may be said that the question whether
Sheffield is or is not to retain the St. George’s
treasures placed there by Ruskin depends largely
on the present Master, Alderman George Baker,
J.P., of Bewdley. No one can positively say what
the Master may do. Efforts will no doubt be
made by other cities to secure possession of the