Search

Start Over Collection John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 February 9-1855 February 9 Box 1, Folder H.3

Ruskin has acquired Turner's Walls of Rome for Heaton, having "no hesitation in ranking this as among the nine or ten best vignettes which Turner ever executed." Ruskin comments on the qualities of the Walls of Rome and of the Berne. He recommends at once "to have these two vignettes framed so as not to touch the glass -- and pasted in at back to keep out Leeds smoke. The least yellowing in the Caius Cestius would be fatal." Ruskin praises the poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 June 1-1855 August 31 Box 1, Folder H.16

"I have seen neither of the pictures & fear I cannot see them at present -- but you cannot be wrong in taking whichever Hughes himself recommends. -- I have some more photographs for you -- Shall I send them to Leeds?" [Date provided by Surtees: Summer 1855]

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 June-1855 June Box 1, Folder H.15

"There is no other vignette comparable to those you have -- the Pisa & Bacharach are both inferior -- Keep what you have, & be proud and thankful. Many thanks & sincere ones for help with Arundel." [Date provided by Surtees: ? Early June 1885]

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 March-1855 March Box 1, Folder H.8

Ruskin remarks that it is necessary to devote time to art appreciation, noting that Heaton initially liked the sky of Turner's Berne which Ruskin states is "exactly the worst part of the drawing." Ruskin declares Caius Cestius "the finer vignette." Ruskin refers to "Mr Durham" (Joseph Durham, who sculpted a portrait bust of Heaton) but confesses that he doesn't "much care about sculpture."

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 March 4-1855 March 4 Box 1, Folder H.7

Ruskin expresses his sympathy for Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who is ill. Ruskin informs Heaton he will send her photographs which are to be copied in sepia, chalk or pencil "as if they were nature itself." Ruskin argues, against the "Masters", that this practice "will do more for a pupil than a years common teaching." Ruskin praises Turner's use of space and drawing of form, praising Walls of Rome as a better work than his Berne. In a postscript, Ruskin states that "men who are not painters" do not get as much good out of art as they do out of "other divine things.".

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 May 11-1855 May 11 Box 1, Folder H.10

"I hope to call tomorrow about 3 o'clock & to bring calotypes with me … I had your kind note -- but my endeavours were notwithstanding this ... vain, for the present chiefly because we cannot get the permanence of photography ascertained. I will tell you more tomorrow." [Date given by postmark: 11 May 1855]

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 May-1855 May Box 1, Folder H.12

Ruskin expresses his distaste that David Thomas White (art dealer) has offered Turner's Parnassus to Heaton for a price higher than the 50 guineas he offered to Ruskin. Ruskin tells Heaton to mention to White that she knows that White gave Ruskin a better price because "he will come down immediately." Ruskin says that White showed him Richmond's Alborough but that he doesn't care for it. [Date provided by Surtees: May 1855]

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 May-1855 May Box 1, Folder H.13

Ruskin advises Heaton to give White £5 for Turner's Castle St Angelo or offer White both her vignettes and £60 for larger drawings (he recommends either Turner's Salisbury or Ingleborough). If Heaton wants to keep her vignettes, Ruskin suggests that she "try to get the Parnassus with your other two - say 55 for it - but not more.". [Date provided by Surtees: May 1855]

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 May-1855 May Box 1, Folder H.14

Ruskin advises Heaton that if she can get Turner's Berne for £40, she should. He asks her for the £5 she promised to the Arundel Society but says that if this will make it difficult for her to buy the Berne, Ruskin will pay the £5 and Heaton can reimburse him later. He says that he is glad that she bought Turner's Parnassus which he praises liberally. Ruskin states he has nearly recovered from his illness and that he is happy to hear that Thomas Richmond is similarly improving. [Date provided by Surtees: c. May 1855]

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton

John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1855 May 19-1855 May 19 Box 1, Folder H.11

Ruskin is writing from his bed. He advises Heaton to acquire a Turner, remarking that Turner's Parnassus and Castle St Angelo is better than his Berne, with the Parnassus the "finest." Ruskin advises Heaton to protect the Parnassus from light. He suggests she commissions work from both John William Inchbold and Arthur Hughes. He admits he has not been able to get Heaton's daguerreotypes but suggests places where she might be able to source duplicates or alternatives. Ruskin admits that he is "quite laid up" and enquires after Thomas Richmond's health. In a postscript, Ruskin praises Hughes's use of colour and compliments Heaton's perception of colour. [Date provided by Surtees: 19? May 1855]

  1. Yale University -Yale Center for British Art
  2. John Ruskin Letters to Ellen Heaton, 1850-1864, bulk 1855-1864
  3. Letters from John Ruskin to Ellen Heaton