The Art of England by John Ruskin

For this week’s #weeklyreads, I thought I would focus on John Ruskin and his ‘The Art of England’, a series of lectures he delivered during his second tenure as Slade Professor of Fine Art at Oxford. These lectures are a blend of art criticism, social commentary, and moral philosophy, offering Ruskin’s views on art’s role in society, grounded in his concern for both aesthetic and ethical issues.

Throughout the lectures his analysis combines his typical intellectual rigour with a strong moral framework, though this is often presented in a somewhat biased tone. He looks to defend the value of artists and craftsmanship, emphasising art’s social responsibility.

All while extending his critique beyond artistic technique and methods, to explore how art can reflect and shape the moral fabric of societ - offering us a powerful lens to understand the cultural and political currents of the 19th century.

That said, the lectures are obviously coloured by Ruskin’s personal biases, with his moralising tone often feeling didactic, and his prescriptive interpretation of art leaves little room for alternative perspectives, both then and now. The 19th-century references and language mean we contemporary readers must approach the text with interpretative care and often with additional context.

Despite these limitations, many of Ruskin’s discussions remain extremely relevant today. His critique of industrialisation and its destructive impact on nature and art resonates with contemporary debates on environmentalism, sustainability, and the value of traditional craftsmanship. His belief in art’s role in shaping moral consciousness and his call for art to engage with social issues still echoes in discussions on art’s political and ethical dimensions. His advocacy for art education speaks to contemporary concerns over the our' capacity to critique or challenge the status quo, as well as the ever-decreasing funding and support for the arts as I know all too well with my work as a trustee of Arvon.

But I suppose to close, I must highlight that ‘The Art of England’ remains an invaluable resource for understanding the intersection of art, society, and morality in the 19th century.

Though Ruskin’s subjectivity and moralising tone can sometimes be problematic, his critiques continue to provoke reflection and discussion, offering insights that remain relevant today. Many of his theories continue to be discussed and remain relevant and noted most clearly through the work of the likes of The Guild of St George (Ruskin's charity).

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