Ruskin200 events & 'The Ruskin Revival'

Autumn 2019 - new book and talks

In the years since John Ruskin’s death in 1900, his reputation has ebbed and flowed. In his own day, he was revered as a pioneering art critic - champion of J M W Turner and the Pre-Raphaelites – as well as an artist, educator and campaigner.  However, by the mid-20^th century, his views seemed outmoded, relegated to the footnotes of historical debate.

The Ruskin Revival: 1969-2019 considers the re-engagement with his radical world-view. Beginning with a conference held in 1969 at Ruskin’s last home, Brantwood in the Lake District, this study shows the range of Ruskin’s legacies. It charts the renewed fascination with his biography, as well as Ruskin’s role in reshaping discussions about the environment, criticism and arts education.

It also documents the afterlife of Ruskin’s letters and paintings, through exhibitions and catalogues. The struggle to secure his inheritance – both his archive in the Ruskin Library at Lancaster University, and his home at Brantwood – makes a fitting last chapter to the tale.

Whether we see him as a prophet, teacher, philanthropist or artist, Ruskin’s life and work seem to have become more urgent, 200 years after his birth.    

This Autumn, I will be commemorating this anniversary with a new book, launched at the National Gallery, as part of the conference, Art for the Nation: John Ruskin, Art Education and Social Change : https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/art-for-the-nation-john-ruskin-art-education-and-social-change

Frederick Hollyer, John Ruskin at home in Brantwood, 1894, V&A

I will also speaking at literary festivals during the Autumn, about Ruskin and his legacy.

19th Sept: Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival https://budlitfest.org.uk/2019-literary-festival-dr-suzanne-fagence-cooper/

and then later that day, 19th Sept: Holy Trinity Arts & Crafts Festival, Sloane Street: https://www.holytrinityartsandcrafts.org/

27th Sept: Lincoln Book Festival: https://www.lincolnbookfestival.org/festival-programme/madly-badly-critically-romantic/

1st October: Wigtown Book Festival: https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/programme/event/428239507/

11th October: Cheltenham Literature Festival: https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2019/l235-why-ruskin-matters/

13th October: Ilkley Literature Festival: http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/65-suzanne-fagence-cooper-why-ruskin-matters

18th October: Buxton, The Ruskin Debate, https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/the-ruskin-debate

12th November, Friends of Ruskin Park, Denmark Hill, https://www.friendsofruskinpark.org.uk/event/why-ruskin-matters/

John Ruskin, Kingfisher, 1845-75

I am also lecturing for Arts Societies in Rugby, Harrogate, Canterbury, Cavendish, Borders, Saltaire, Lincoln, Windsor & Leeds. Please see their local websites for more details.

And I will be speaking at the conference at York University on Pre-Raphaelite Sisters, 12-13th December: https://prsistersconference.home.blog/