Twisted Spire, Village near Brieg c. 1874

Editor: This is John Ruskin's pencil sketch, "Twisted Spire, Village near Brieg." I’m struck by how detailed the spire is, despite the sketch's overall simplicity. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Look closely at the texture and weight of the lines. Ruskin meticulously renders the spire, emphasizing the labor involved in its construction and its relationship to the surrounding material landscape and society. How might the choice of pencil as a medium affect our perception of this architecture? Editor: I guess it makes it seem more accessible, less grand than if it were, say, an oil painting. Curator: Precisely. Ruskin's focus on the process of sketching, the very act of recording the spire, invites us to consider the means of production and the social context embedded within its creation. Editor: That’s a different way of seeing art than I’m used to. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Reflecting on the artist's hand and the materials used offers valuable insight.