Books

A smart late nineteenth century edition of John Ruskin's illustrated work on the painters emerging from the picturesque tradition. A complete six volume edition of this work, which was first published between 1843 and 1860, and begun when Ruskin was only twenty-four years old.Volume III illustrated with a frontispiece, one colour plate, and sixteen monochrome plates. Collated, complete.Volume IV illustrated with a frontispiece, and thirty-four plates. Collated, complete.Volume V illustrated with a frontispiece, and thirty-six plates. Collated, complete.In this work, Ruskin studies the art of modern painters. One argument he presents in 'Modern Painters' is that the recent picturesque painters were superior in landscapes than the old masters. He used this argument to defend the later work of J. M. W. Turner.The second volume was influential in the early days of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, with Ruskin's discussion on symbolism in art expressed through nature.With a former owner's inscription of E. Cecil B. Acworth to a front blank of each volume.A beautifully illustrated and enormously informative work of artistic criticism. In half morocco bindings, with paper covered boards. Volume I rebacked, retaining the original endpapers. Charming gilt detailing to back strips. Light rubbing to joints, with small loss of leather to tail of volume II front joint. Front joint of volume IV and front and rear joints of volumes V and VI starting, with boards only a touch tender. Volume III front hinge strained, but firmly held. Small area of worming to rear pastedown of volume I, penetrating leaves 439-456. Former owner's inscriptions to a front blank of each volume. Internally, firmly bound. Pages a touch age toned, but generally clean and bright. Very Good.

This five-volume work argued that art should focus on depicting nature with truth and sincerity.