John Ruskin
John Ruskin
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 29 June 1863
3 1/2 in. x 2 1/8 in. (90 mm x 55 mm) image size
acquired Clive Holland, 1959
Photographs Collection
NPG x12958
Sitterback to top
- John Ruskin (1819-1900), Writer, artist and social reformer. Sitter associated with 82 portraits.
Placesback to top
- Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (studio, Dante Gabriel Rossetti's home, 16 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London)
Events of 1863back to top
Current affairs
The opening of the world's first underground railway, with the Metropolitan Railway running trains between Bishop's Street, Padington and Farringdon. Work had begun in 1860, using the 'cut-and-cover' method of construction. The Metropolitan line inspired the construction of other underground railways - the Parisian 'Metro' took its name from the line.The Football Association is founded.
Art and science
Julia Margaret Cameron takes up photography, taking portraits of some of the most celebrated figures of the day, with her romantic style capturing the sense of nostalgia and longing that characterised the age.Kingsley's Water Babies; A Fairy Tale for Children is published, the hugely popular tale of drowned chimney sweep Tom's moral education in the river world of the water babies. It inspired the 1978 film starring James Mason.
International
At an international conference, the Geneva Public Welfare Society calls on the sixteen nations present to form voluntary units to help the wartime wounded. The society, comprised of five Swiss citizens and led by Henri Dunant, who had been deeply affected by the casualties he had witnessed at the Battle of Solferino, became the National Red Cross Societies, adopting the emblem of a red cross on white background.Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this portrait? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. If you wish to license this image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.