Portrait of John Ruskin 1879 - 1881

This is Sir Hubert von Herkomer's portrait of John Ruskin, made with graphite on paper. Ruskin, an influential art critic, was famously interested in labor and the ethics of production. Here, the artist's process is clearly visible. The surface of the paper is not entirely covered, but activated by quick, assured strokes of graphite. This mode of production stands in stark contrast to the detailed Pre-Raphaelite paintings that Ruskin championed. The artist's hand is prioritized over the subject's fine details, imbuing the portrait with a sense of immediacy. The conscious decisions made by the artist while working enhance the material and conceptual depth of the artwork. Paying attention to the materials, making, and context helps us understand the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.