John Ruskin was an influential English polymath of the Victorian era whose work spanned art criticism, literature, political economy, and natural sciences. He first achieved widespread recognition with the publication of the first volume of Modern Painters (1843). In this landmark work, he defended the painter J. M. W. Turner and argued that the primary duty of an artist is "truth to nature," advocating for art rooted in close observation and direct experience.
During the 1850s, Ruskin became a champion of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, whose members were deeply influenced by his aesthetic theories. Over time, Ruskin's focus shifted from pure art criticism to pressing social and political issues. This transition was marked by Unto This Last (1860, 1862), a work of political economy. His writing style also evolved during this period, transitioning from the elaborate, ornate prose of his youth to a plainer, more direct language aimed at communicating complex ideas to a broader audience.
In 1869, Ruskin was appointed as the first Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Oxford, where he founded the Ruskin School of Drawing. He also engaged directly with the working class through Fors Clavigera, a series of monthly letters published between 1871 and 1884. These letters laid the groundwork for the Guild of St George, a utopian society he established to put his social principles into practice. Today, Ruskin is remembered not only for his immense impact on Victorian culture but also as a visionary who anticipated modern concerns regarding environmentalism, sustainability, and ethical consumerism.
