Ruskin by G.K. Chesterton (1903)
Ruskin[2] is a biography of the Victorian art critic and social thinker John Ruskin written by G.K. Chesterton. The book provides an insight into Ruskin's life, work, and ideas, including his views on art, architecture, economics, and politics. It also explores how Ruskin's writings influenced the development of modern art and literature.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1903 · Genre: Biography, Literary Criticism, Philosophy · 1,073 words
First lines
I do not think anyone could find any fault with the way in which Mr. Collingwood has discharged his task, except, of course, Mr. Ruskin himself, who would certainly have scored through all the eulogies in passionate red ink and declared that his dear friend had selected for admiration the very parts of his work which were vile, brainless, and revolting. That, however, was merely Ruskin's humour, and one of the deepest disappointments with Mr. Collingwood is that he, like everyone else, fails to appreciate Ruskin as a humourist. Yet he was a great humourist: half the explosions which are solemnly scolded as "one-sided" were simply meant to be one-sided, were mere laughing experiments in language. Like a woman, he saw the humour of his own prejudices, did not sophisticate them by logic, but deliberately exaggerated them by rhetoric. One tenth of his paradoxes would have made the fortune of a modern young man with gloves of an art yellow. He was as fond of nonsense as Mr. Max Beerbohm.
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Ruskin is listed on Textopian as an essay by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1903 CE.
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- Work type: Essay
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Humor, Cultural Commentary
- Length: 1,073 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- The Confiteor Of The Artist by Charles Pierre Baudelaire
Genres
- Biography — The book is a critical examination of John Ruskin's life and work, focusing on his character and contributions.
- Literary Criticism — The text analyzes Ruskin's writings and ideas, particularly his art criticism and its impact.
- Philosophy — The work delves into philosophical themes, discussing Ruskin's views on art, society, and morality.
- Humor — The narrative highlights Ruskin's humor and rhetorical style, emphasizing his use of paradox and exaggeration.
Tags
art · criticism · literature · philosophy · aesthetics · Victorian · social commentary · culture · nature · beauty · moral values · history