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John Ruskin letter to John Henry Le Keux, between 1855 and 1856?

 Item — Volume: 1, Page: 75-79
Call Number: MSS 37

Scope and Contents

Ruskin is delighted with Le Keux's work on "the mountain," declaring it a "triumph of [his] geology and engraving." Ruskin says he needs to alter the top of the pine trees and includes a sketch of how they should now look [sketch measures 3.6 x 7.8 cm]. He enquires whether Le Keux received his letter detailing the lettering for the plates. He asks Le Keux to make twelve proofs of "this" plate "and the other mountain bank one." Ruskin recommends changes for the mixed plate [possibly referring to Plate 25 in Modern Painters IV, see previous letters on pages 41-53], sketching some suggested alterations for the "wall in blotted one" [probably referring to the wall in figure 3 in Plate 25; sketch measures 6.7 x 1.8 cm]. He goes on to say that Le Keux's "trees look better than [Ruskin's] through magnifying glass, but are not so good in reality. Try if you can't get them liker [Ruskin's]." Ruskin sketches Le Keux's trees in comparison to his own [sketches measure 3.5 x 2.8 cm and 4.3 x 3.4 cm]. He ends by stating that contrary to his previous instructions, Ruskin wants Le Keux to lightly include the lines in the tiles. He tells Le Keux that "the middle one" is now quite right.

Dates

  • between 1855 and 1856?

Creator

Physical Description

5 pages : autograph letter ; 18 x 11 cm

Conditions Governing Access

From the Collection:

The collection is open without restriction.

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Part of the Yale Center for British Art, Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts
1080 Chapel Street
P. O. Box 208280
New Haven CT 06520-8280 US
203-432-2814

Location

1080 Chapel Street
New Haven , CT 06510

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