Post by beckettologist on Jul 19, 2009 18:11:16 GMT -5
As some of you already know I have been reading up on John Ruskin, the man that Tom plays in Desperate Romantics. What started out as a little research to see what kind of a person he was has become almost an obsession. I am almost finished with the 900+ page biography by Tim Hilton. For me to read a biography of that length and not lose interest is unusual. I have to be captivated and I am. The great part is that it is making me want to get back into drawing and painting. The man was pretty amazing. I can't wait to see Tom's take on the guy.
In my search for other information I came across the Brantwood site. Brantwood was his home in the latter part of his life. Next time I visit England I would love to go there. They even have workshops and you can stay in the house.
I liked their brief bio on him because it did not focus on his reasons for his failed marriage.
Here it is if anyone that might be interested:
John Ruskin - A Remarkable Man
John Ruskin was born in London in 1819, the only son of a successful Scottish sherry merchant. His father encouraged him to take up painting and poetry; his mother hoped that he might be a minister. He was educated at home and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was profoundly influenced by the evolutionary sciences of the day, especially geology. At the same time, Ruskin started to write about art and architecture, and began a lifelong advocacy of the work of Turner. As a result, he became an inspiration to a generation of younger artists, most notably the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
At the age of 29 Ruskin married Effie Gray but the marriage ended disastrously six years later, when Effie eloped with the painter Millais. Ruskin buried himself in work, in particular a lengthy study of the city of Venice, producing a remarkable three-volume study of the architecture of the city. At the heart of the Stones of Venice he contrasted medieval craftsmanship with modern manufacturing - something hugely influential on William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. It marked the maturing of Ruskin’s interest in social justice and the beginning of his attempts to influence the shape of society.
In his forties Ruskin fell deeply in love with Rose la Touche. Rose died aged 29 and Ruskin carried his feelings for her with him for the rest of his life. With the death of his father, Ruskin added wealth to influence. He became Slade Professor of Art at Oxford, an educational philanthropist and an increasingly radical voice in Victorian society. In 1878, at the age of 59, he suffered the first of several breakdowns that eventually stopped him working. Ruskin died in 1900 at the age of 81, leaving behind him collected writings that stretch to 39 volumes, thousands of drawings and watercolours, and a legacy of influence that is felt to this day.
In my search for other information I came across the Brantwood site. Brantwood was his home in the latter part of his life. Next time I visit England I would love to go there. They even have workshops and you can stay in the house.
I liked their brief bio on him because it did not focus on his reasons for his failed marriage.
Here it is if anyone that might be interested:
John Ruskin - A Remarkable Man
John Ruskin was born in London in 1819, the only son of a successful Scottish sherry merchant. His father encouraged him to take up painting and poetry; his mother hoped that he might be a minister. He was educated at home and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was profoundly influenced by the evolutionary sciences of the day, especially geology. At the same time, Ruskin started to write about art and architecture, and began a lifelong advocacy of the work of Turner. As a result, he became an inspiration to a generation of younger artists, most notably the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
At the age of 29 Ruskin married Effie Gray but the marriage ended disastrously six years later, when Effie eloped with the painter Millais. Ruskin buried himself in work, in particular a lengthy study of the city of Venice, producing a remarkable three-volume study of the architecture of the city. At the heart of the Stones of Venice he contrasted medieval craftsmanship with modern manufacturing - something hugely influential on William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. It marked the maturing of Ruskin’s interest in social justice and the beginning of his attempts to influence the shape of society.
In his forties Ruskin fell deeply in love with Rose la Touche. Rose died aged 29 and Ruskin carried his feelings for her with him for the rest of his life. With the death of his father, Ruskin added wealth to influence. He became Slade Professor of Art at Oxford, an educational philanthropist and an increasingly radical voice in Victorian society. In 1878, at the age of 59, he suffered the first of several breakdowns that eventually stopped him working. Ruskin died in 1900 at the age of 81, leaving behind him collected writings that stretch to 39 volumes, thousands of drawings and watercolours, and a legacy of influence that is felt to this day.