Fragment of the Alps c. 1854 - 1856

Editor: This watercolor painting, titled "Fragment of the Alps," is by John Ruskin. The way the light hits the rocks gives it such a monumental feel. What do you make of this? Curator: Notice how Ruskin contrasts the permanence of the rocks with the fleeting light. Rocks often symbolize stability, wisdom, and endurance. Yet, here, the artist captures a fragment, an impermanent moment in time, which suggests even the most solid things are subject to change and decay. What does that say to you? Editor: It’s thought-provoking how he uses a symbol of strength to explore vulnerability. I didn't think of it that way initially. Curator: Indeed. Ruskin invites us to see beyond the surface, to contemplate the stories embedded within the landscape, and the constant flux that shapes our world.