Study of Phillyrea

Details

John Ruskin, H.R.W.S. (1819-1900)
Study of Phillyrea
pencil, pen and black ink
4 x 4¾ in. (10.2 x 12 cm.)

Provenance

Mrs E.M. Gordon (+); Christie's, London, 8 July 1986 lot 42 (part).
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 25 November 2004, lot 179 (part).

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

Please note that the illustration for this lot has been transposed with lot 173 and is illustrated larger than actual size.

Lot Essay

The present drawing was engraved for Ruskin's Elements of Drawing. The drawing may have been executed earlier or circa 1857 when it was reproduced. Ruskin says 'Fig. 8 is a bough of Phillyrea so drawn. Do not be afraid of running the leaves into a black mass when they come together; this exercise is only to teach you what the actual shapes of such masses are when seen against the sky'.

Ruskin wrote the Elements of Drawing as three letters addressed to the amateur artist in the belief that everyone could learn to draw and appreciate art.

We are grateful to Dr James S. Dearden for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.

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