British Quarterly Review, April 1856

(Go to Summary of review by Hannah Lawrance of Modern Painters III, British Quarterly Review, April 1856, pp. 442-67.)

More than ten years have passed away since two volumes bearing the unpretending title of Modern Painters, by a Graduate of Oxford, came out, and startled amateurs, connoisseurs, and artists themselves, alike, by their frank enunciation of new principles in art, and bold assertions of the right of Turner - much-abused Turner - to the foremost place among landscape painters, both past and present. The work was eagerly read, it was much admired, but far more bitterly denounced; still it did not fail in its aim; some check was given to the virulent attacks upon Turner, and the aged painter, already sinking into death, must have felt cheered in his desolate home by the eloquent advocacy of that young champion who flung himself so chivalrously between him and his cowardly assailants, and so willing received the thrusts that were aimed at the gifted old man. (p. 442)

Mr Ruskin [...] whose fine taste and sound principles - even when his conclusions may not be admitted - must always command respect. We look forward with much interest to the two concluding volumes; and - having little sympathy with those critics who seem unable to comprehend that a writer may still be a learner, and after ten years' earnest and continuous labour, acknowledge himself to be still so - we shall be right willing to repair, under Mr Ruskin's pleasant guidance, 'To-morrow to fresh fields, and pastures new'. (p. 467)

CW