Falls of Schaffhausen 1842

Editor: John Ruskin’s "Falls of Schaffhausen," held at the Harvard Art Museums, presents us with this dramatic scene rendered in watercolor. The churning water against the dark rocks—it feels so turbulent! What do you see in this piece, considering Ruskin’s usual attention to detail? Curator: Ruskin was obsessed with the Sublime, which is symbolized here in the raw power of nature. The falls are less a specific place, and more an embodiment of overwhelming force, reflecting humanity’s insignificance. Notice how the light clashes with the dark? How does that contrast make you feel? Editor: It definitely emphasizes that sense of awe and the insignificance of humanity. I hadn't thought about the Sublime in relation to this piece before. Curator: Yes, Ruskin uses the symbolic clash of light and dark to show us both the beauty and terror in the natural world, something the Romantics grappled with constantly. Editor: That's a great point. Thanks for illuminating that! Curator: My pleasure! It’s all about seeing how symbols carry meaning across time.