By Kind Permission of Leeds University Library
By Kind Permission of Leeds University Library
Ruskin 's concern here is the 'prolonged and thoughtful' labour of the 'great mind' of Raphael in his work on the sea colewort ('sea-kale' is the more common name for 'crambe maritima' in English) in the foreground (Compare MP I:xxix and MP I:81). The plants exemplify 'realisation to the mind 'rather than 'deception of the eye' ( MP I:xxix), and provide authoritative examples of the careful attention which great artists paid to the natural phenomena of a divinely created world, realising nature rather than seeking to improve on it.
The Cartoon is taken to illustrate events in St. John's Gospel Chapter 21. The setting is the sea of Tiberias. Christ is questioning St. Peter: 'He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, though knowest all things; though knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.'
See also Ruskin's changing attitude to Raphael's Cartoon of the Charge to Peter, Ruskin on Raphael and Works, 9.407.
Raffaello Santi 1483-1520
The Charge to Peter c.1515
Tempera on paper, 343x532cm
Provenance: Brussels, weaving workshop of Pieter van Aelst, 1516-19; workshop, Jan van Tiegen, c.1525; Brussels, 1573; Genoa, c.1580-1600; bt Prince Charles of Wales in Genoa, 1623; Mortlake, 1639; Whitehall, 1649; Somerset House, 1650-1; in pawn in London, 1685; Banqueting House, Whitehall, 1690; Hampton Court, 1697; Set up in former King's Gallery (then Cartoon Gallery, or Great Counil Chamber) at Hampton Court, 1699; transferred to Buckingham Palace, 1763; transferred to Windsor, 1787-8; moved to the King and Queen's Presence-Chambers at Windsor, 1792; transferred to Hampton Court, Cartoon Gallery, 1804; to the South Kensington (now Victoria and Albert) Museum, 1865
Further Comments: The V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) was formerly called the South Kensington Museum; the 'Royal Presence Chambers' refers to the King and Queen's Presence Chambers; the Cartoon Gallery, etc, which was once the 'King's Gallery' is at Hampton Court.
Collection: Victoria & Albert Museum (on loan from Royal Collection)