Ornamental Study with Acanthus Motif for "The Stones of Venice"

1849

John Ruskin

Associated Names
John Ruskin

Artist, British, 1819 - 1900

This is a drawing of decorative leaf motifs. The image shows stylized leaf designs with careful attention to form and detail. The designs are laid out in panels, presenting variations of decorative leaf motifs. The leaves are depicted with precise lines and soft shading, using light blue accents to add depth. Notes and annotations in fine handwriting accompany the designs, suggesting they may be preliminary studies for architectural or decorative patterns.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with watercolor and graphite on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of William B. O'Neal

  • Dimensions

    overall: 20.1 x 16.6 cm (7 15/16 x 6 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.52.158

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

John Collingwood; (J.S. Maas & Co. Ltd., London); purchased by William B. O'Neal, Charlottesville, VA, 1983-1994; gift to NGA, 1995.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1919

  • Ruskin Centenary Exhibition, Royal Academy, London, 1 October - 22 November, 1919: no. 213 (as Early Leaf Sculpture for "Stones of Venice").

1982

  • La Bella Mano: Pre-Raphaelite Paintings and Decorative Arts, Virginia Museum, Richmond, 1982: no. 30 (as Study of Architectural Ornament with Acanthus Motif).

1989

  • The Spell of Italy, McGregor Room, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, 5 March - 30 July, 1989.

Inscriptions

upper center in brown ink: Fig. 2. (crossed out) Piazzet Shafts; upper right in brown ink: Fig 3. (crossed out) Ca Fa[ ] / Take from plate 21; lower right in brown ink: No. 4.; (various notations overall); by later hand, upper left in graphite: 104a

Wikidata ID

Q64583881

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