Ruskin200

Events for Autumn 2019 and 'The Ruskin Revival'

John Ruskin by Herkomer, 1879, National Portrait Gallery

 

This Autumn, I am commemorating Ruskin's 200th anniversary with a new book,

The Ruskin Revival 1969-2019 (Pallas Athene).

 

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.  

I will be talking about the book and Ruskin's legacy on 21st Sept as part of the National Gallery conference: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/art-for-the-nation-john-ruskin-art-education-and-social-change

and at these literary festivals:

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

and later that same day at Holy Trinity Sloane Square, https://www.holytrinityartsandcrafts.org/

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

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

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

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

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