Amboise 1841

John Ruskin rendered this watercolor of Amboise, France, with an eye for capturing its ethereal essence. The towering castle, bathed in a misty light, dominates the scene. The castle motif itself is an enduring symbol, evoking notions of power, defense, and the romantic allure of history. We see its echoes in medieval tapestries, Renaissance paintings, and even modern-day fantasy illustrations. But here, the castle is not just a fortress; it is a beacon, its pale stone seemingly radiating light. Think of the Tower of Babel, or the celestial cities envisioned by mystics – structures reaching for the heavens, embodying mankind's aspirations and, perhaps, its hubris. Ruskin's castle transcends its physical form. It becomes a vessel for our collective longing, a symbol that has resurfaced throughout history, constantly reinvented yet eternally resonant.