John Ruskin | Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth Salt, 30 August 1855

John Ruskin

Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth Salt

revealing the subtlety of his own sensibilities while instructing her in the art of drawing, and proposing, since there is "no wholesome elementary book on drawing", that she wait for the third volume of Modern Painters which will tell her better what she wants to know than anything else she could get ("...It seems very egotistic, but it is the truth, & I cannot help saying it..."), 3 pages, 8vo, autograph envelope, oval one penny stamp, postmarked 30 August 1855, envelopeslightly soiled, letter creased where folded

Written during Ruskin's time in Tunbridge Wells, letters such as this served as the inspiration for his work The Elements of Drawing, written in 1856-7, which instructed beginners on the principles of draughtsmanship, and alleviated the need to individually reply to such requests for artistic advice, for indeed, Ruskin states here that at present he was "very busy".