Information

'Examples of the Architecture of Venice' was a folio of plates first published in 1851 in connection with Ruskin's book on Venetian architecture, 'The Stones of Venice.' The preface to the folio explains that: ' Mr Ruskin has found it impossible to reduce to the size of an octavo volume all the sketches made to illustrate his intended Essay on Venetian architecture; at least, without loss of accuracy in detail: he has thought it better to separate some of the plates from the text, than either to throw the latter into a folio form, or diminish the fidelity of the drawings.' Ruskin selected 16 of his drawings of architectural details to be published as plates in a large format folio each accompanied by an explanatory text. This is a plate from the 1887 edition published by G. Allen. Ruskin informed his readers that 'the plate represents two characteristic headings of doors above the lintels. The upper one is from a palace once belonging to a branch of the Contarini family behind the church of St. Francesco ... The lower compartment of the Plate represents a door-head belonging to a small house of the thirteenth century Gothic, in the Campo Santa Margherita.' According to Cook and Wedderburn the original drawings for this mezzotint were exhibited in the 1901 Ruskin exhibition held at the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours (cat. no. 135; 'Works of John Ruskin,' vol. XL, p. 316).

  • Presented by the Executors of the Rt Hon, William Kenrick, 1920
  • © Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

Makers

Association Artist Organisation
Engraver Thomas Lupton -
Etcher Thomas Shotter Boys -
Artist John Ruskin -

Inscriptions

Type Position(s) Method Date(s) Notes
J.Ruskin./ II/ Aq. fort.T. Boys./ DOOR HEADS,/ From Ca Contarini Porta di Ferro; and in Campo S. Margarita./ T.Lupton.
Inscription below image Printed - Ink.
 

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