Mountain Landscape 1834 - 1873

John Ruskin made this chalk drawing of a Mountain Landscape, which now resides at the Art Institute of Chicago, during an era of significant industrial expansion and social change in Britain. Ruskin, a prominent art critic and social commentator, often turned to nature as a refuge from the perceived corruption of urban life. Ruskin’s choice of subject matter, his emphasis on the sublime beauty of nature, was in part a reaction to the social and environmental consequences of industrialization. He believed that a deep understanding and appreciation of nature could lead to moral and spiritual growth. His art and writings served as a call to return to what he saw as more authentic values. This landscape is more than just a depiction of mountains; it's an emotional and moral statement. Ruskin invites us to contemplate our place within the natural world. In a way, it questions the values of a society rapidly transforming due to industrial progress. Ruskin asks us to reflect on the delicate balance between progress and preservation.