Study for Growth of Wild Violet 1879

Editor: Here we have John Ruskin's "Study for Growth of Wild Violet" from 1879, a delicate pencil drawing. I'm struck by its almost scientific approach, yet it feels so personal. What can you tell me about its context? Curator: Well, Ruskin was deeply invested in the natural world, not just aesthetically but morally. How do you see this drawing relating to the broader socio-political context of Victorian England and its relationship with nature? Editor: I suppose with industrialization happening, perhaps he wanted to capture nature before it disappeared, as a form of preservation or protest? Curator: Precisely! His detailed botanical studies were a reaction against industrialization, a way to highlight the beauty and importance of the natural world against a rapidly changing landscape. It was also a critique of the educational system. Ruskin felt students should study nature first hand and with rigorous attention. Editor: That’s fascinating, I didn't realize it had such a strong message within its delicate lines. Curator: Ruskin's work challenges us to think about how art can engage with and even attempt to influence social change.