North West Angle of the façade St Mark 1851

John Ruskin rendered this elevation of St. Mark's façade using watercolor, a medium that allows for both precision and luminosity. Ruskin was deeply interested in architecture, not only as a visual spectacle, but as an embodiment of the values and labor of its makers. The very act of painting this elaborate façade reflects Ruskin’s conviction that close observation and skillful execution were crucial to understanding the art and architecture of Venice. The slight variations in tone and texture capture the way light interacts with the stone, articulating the building’s age and history. Ruskin championed the Gothic style, admiring the imperfections that arose from the hands-on processes of medieval artisans. He valued the humanity evident in their work. Ruskin believed the inherent qualities of material and the evidence of the maker’s hand, are crucial to understanding the cultural significance of art. He urged us to recognize the moral and social dimensions embedded within these structures.