English Literature / Unit 15 ENL 1424 short lesson, about 20 seconds
John Ruskin
Captions available
The idea
John Ruskin defended Turner in Modern Painters, arguing that the artist's duty is "truth to nature," and in The Stones of Venice judged a society by its art and architecture. The anchor notes his attacks on laissez-faire economics and his belief that work should be fulfilling; Unto This Last marked that turn.
In practice
Art, architecture, labour.
Where people slip
Ruskin's art criticism is social criticism.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for English Literature