John Ruskin
As a vocal critic of art on the whole, British writer JOHN RUSKIN (1819-1900) was a profoundly influential voice upon European painting, architecture, aesthetics of the 19th and 20th centuries. This 1865 collection of three lectures-'Of Kings’ Treasures,' 'Of Queens’ Gardens,' and 'Of the Mysteries of Life'-offers an intimate look at his thoughts on culture and humanity’s nurturing of its own education. He discusses:. the importance of 'valuable books'. the nature of 'a civilized country'. the necessity of educating women. advice for living a plain but noble life. and more.Students of art history will in particular find this an enlightening read.