John Ruskin

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

John Ruskin

by James Northcote
oil on linen, 1822
49 7/8 in. x 39 3/4 in. (1267 mm x 1010 mm)
Purchased with help from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund, 1988
Primary Collection
NPG 5973

Sitterback to top

John Ruskin (1819-1900), Writer, artist and social reformer. Sitter associated with 80 portraits.

Artistback to top

James Northcote (1746-1831), Painter; pupil and biographer of Sir Joshua Reynolds. Artist associated with 103 portraits, Sitter associated with 23 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG x12197: View of James Northcote's painting of John Ruskin in John Ruskin's home (includes the portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

The British Portrait, 1660-1960, 1991, p. 249 number 238
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 538

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (artist's studio, Argyll Street, London)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1822back to top

Current affairs

Lord Castlereagh (the Marquis of Londonderry) commits suicide after a blackmail campaign against him.
Tory cabinet joined by liberals George Canning and Robert Peel. Canning is appointed Foreign Secretary.

Art and science

John Nash completes the remodelling of the King's villa, the Brighton Pavilion and begins plans for the new layout of Regent Street and Regent's Park.
The Caledonian Canal opens to link eastern to western Scotland.
The Sunday Times is founded.

International

David Wilkie exhibits celebrated Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Academy to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo. It proves so popular a rail has to be erected to protect it.
First major failure of the potato crop in Ireland. A large-scale public works programme is implemented to provide employment.

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