An Olive Spray and Two Leaf Outlines before 1877

Curator: Here we have John Ruskin's "An Olive Spray and Two Leaf Outlines" housed at the Tate. I'm immediately struck by the delicacy. Editor: Yes, you can really see the artist’s hand in the graphite work on paper. Olive branches symbolize peace, and the careful construction of each leaf suggests a hopeful, almost meditative process. Curator: Ruskin was deeply invested in accurately representing the natural world. It's a beautiful example of how close observation and skilled labor combine. Notice too the two leaf outlines. Editor: Are those outlines a hint of impermanence? The main olive branch, so carefully rendered, while the outlines feel fleeting. Curator: Perhaps. What is certain is that this drawing speaks to the craft involved in representing our environment, and what we choose to elevate within it. Editor: Indeed. It's a poignant reminder of the power of symbols, and how they take form.