Alfred Edward Chalon, R.A.

Lancaster, Ruskin Library, Lancaster University, The Portraits of John Ruskin, 2000, case 2

This portrait is the first known image of the adolescent Ruskin and it was first recorded in the book John Ruskin: A Life in Pictures (1999). In this publication the author, James Dearden wrote: 'This is Ruskin the published poet, the writer on geology, the champion of Turner. In 1836 Ruskin was attending the Rev. Thomas Dale's lectures on early English literature at King's College, he was taking watercolour lessons from Copley Fielding and drawing lessons from Charles Runciman. In October he matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, and in December he took his final examinations at King's College..... The circumstances under which the miniature was painted are not recorded. However, in 1836 preparations were being made for Ruskin to go to Oxford in January of the following year. He was to be accompanied by his mother who would live in Oxford during his terms at Christ Church; his father would remain in London or travelling the country in connection with his sherry business, joining his family at Oxford when he had the opportunity. I would suggest that the miniature, in its leather case, was painted as part of these preparations, for John James to have with him during his separation from his family.'¹

We are grateful to Professor Stephen Wildman for his help when cataloguing this lot.

¹. J.S. Dearden, John Ruskin: A Life in Pictures, Sheffield Academic Press, 1999, p. 27