Ruskin, John (1819-1900) and the Pre-Raphaelites
Rare Books, Maps, Manuscripts & Photographs
Auction: 10 January 2007 at 11:00 GMT
Description
Autograph manuscript signed of preface for A. Gordon Crawford's "Notes on the Millais Collection", 1886, 4to, one page, c. 19 x 31cm., framed and glazed, some light dust-soiling, editor's notes in blue pencil, slip with his signature, Brantwood, 22nd Jan. 1886, pasted onto foot of manuscript text, 25 lines, "the permission given in the hope that some of the fragment might add interest to the most important exhibition of English art yet given in the country but... I must broadly efface any impression that may be given by it of my criticisms having been of any service to the Pre Raphaelite school, except in protecting it against vulgar outcry. The painters rightly resented the idea of misjudging friends that I was either their precursor or their guide; they were entirely original in their thoughts and independent in their practice. Rossetti, I fear, even exaggerated his colour because I told him it was too violent; and to this very day my love of Turner dims Mr Burne Jones's pleasure in my praise."
Footnote
Note: Notes on some of the Principal Pictures of Sir John Everett Millais, exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery., was published with a preface and original and selected criticisms by John Ruskin in 1886. A. Gordon Crawford was the pseudonym of Mr Alexander Wise.