Stones of Venice, vol. 2

In 1853, John Ruskin published The Stones of Venice, Vol. 2. This work included the chapter “On the Nature of Gothic,” which makes a forceful statement of the close connections between labor, justice, beauty, and “truth to nature.” This was part of a larger reconsideration of aesthetics in which Ruskin privileged “truth to nature” over traditional, idealized, and formal beauty, which in turn supported new art movements such as Pre-Raphaelitism and new social uses of art, such as public art exhibitions and museums. Exact month of publication unknown; if you have information about the correct date, please email felluga@purdue.edu with this information. Image: Portrait of John Ruskin. This image is in the public domain in the United States because its copyright has expired.