On Art and Life has been one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read recently. I think some of John Ruskin’s sentences in this book will stay with me for the rest of my life. And I think it’s the same for many people who read it.
On Art and Life consists of two texts: The Nature of Gothic and The Work of Iron in Nature, Art and Policy. In his first text, The Nature of Gothic, the author talks about gothic architecture. However, the subject does not only focus on gothic architecture; it also interferes with life, people, morality and many other things. You will be greeted with hundreds of sentences that you will want to underline and recall over and over again. And you will be delighted to meet an author who puts you in such an intense thinking process.
In the text entitled The Work of Iron in Nature, Art and Policy, you will never be able to look at iron as before. On the other hand, of course, you will get into Ruskin’s delightful mind and wish he could tell you more. When talking about iron, the author is not just talking about iron; He talks about art and life, just like in The Nature of Gothic. I recommend it to those who are looking for an excellent book; you will love it. Enjoy!
On Art and Life
Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves – and each other. Also they have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives – and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are.
John Ruskin
John Ruskin was the leading English art critic of the Victorian era, as well as an art patron, draughtsman, watercolourist, philosopher, prominent social thinker and philanthropist. He wrote on subjects as varied as geology, architecture, myth, ornithology, literature, education, botany and political economy.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
