The Two Paths

A detailed Summary of The Two Paths

Within John Ruskin's Book "The Two Paths" he discusses many of his ideas, concerns and theories on art and art culture. I will cover but four of what I think to be the more interesting concepts. Balancing true representation of form and 'abstract' human expression in an artwork. The effect art has on a cultures behaviour and vice versa. The idea that the human hand will never be surpassed in its ability to create true art. And finally, I will discuss Ruskin's position on the distinction between art for arts sake, or art for self-recognition and wealth.

Born in London, February 8, 1819, John Ruskin was destined to be either a man of God or a man of art and literature. His mother Margaret Cox was a devoted Christian who had dedicated her only child to God before Ruskin was even born. His first education was to be that of the bible, and due to his mother's strict policy of being a Christian, he would end up learning it well. His father, though no less strict, was a highly cultured man. He was not only a collector of art, but also a lover and writer of poetry. This mix of strictness and culture, caused Ruskin's upbringing to be a very successful one in which he learnt to write verse by the age of eight, began taking lessons from a

"Out of the peat cottage come faith, courage, self-sacrifice, purity, and piety, and whatever else is fruitful in the work of Heaven; out of the ivory palace come treachery, cruelty, cowardice, idolatry, bestiality, - whatever else is fruitful in the work of Hell" (Ruskin, 1884, 06). Ruskin writes also about his notion that a cultures harmonious, creative and artistic ability is not necessarily equal or at all the same as its way of living. Instead that same culture could in fact be destructive in its ways of common living. In other words, a civilisation that is indeed civil does not always bear the creative passion of a mirrored culture, which is stricken with war and violence. Ruskin then digresses into a story of his recent trip to Scotland where he was 'painfully' confronted with "a country possessing no valuable monuments or examples of art", yet held all the properties of a sophisticated culture. He goes on to say that India's people have a talent for art and design which seems to come as natural to them as living itself, "...the love of subtle design seems universal in the race, and is developed in every implement that they shape, and every building that they raise" (Ruskin, 1884, 04), yet, according to him, they lack much of the decency of a nation such as Scotland. It is hard for me to either agree or disagree with his opinion on this topic as when he wrote this, the people of India may very well have been 'lacking decency'. Reviewing this concept however, leads me to not only move to the present time but also move out side of Ruskin's two examples. The Netherlands culture is one that I have personally experienced and can vouch that it is a culture of integrity, honour and is most certainly not lacking decency. Yet Holland has managed to 'supply' us with such artists as Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondrian and the master of illustrative illusion, M.C. Escher. There are many other countries along with the Netherlands, which have produced wonderful art whilst remaining civilised. I am of the opinion that a culture can be both creative and peaceful, and the two characteristics do not suffer from a Ying and Yang type relationship. It should be noted though that Ruskin goes on to give other examples of his theory, and furthermore explains the domination of societies that lack a greater artistic talent, "...the nations which possessed a refined art were always subdued by those who possessed none: you find the Lydian subdued by the Mede; the Athenian by the Spartan; the Greek by the Roman; the Roman by the Goth; the Burgundian by the Switzer" (Ruskin, 1884, 07). This particular theory I think may have been applicable at the time, and certainly applies to a few countries still, on the whole however I believe this idea to be outdated somewhat.

Finally before I conclude I would like to make a note on the style of writing Ruskin chose. "The Two Paths" was originally made as a lecture book and for this reason is written in the manner of direct speech. This enables Ruskin to converse with the reader as if he were there with them. I am very fond of this style of writing as it is not only easier to read but creates a personal atmosphere between the reader and writer. This style also enables Ruskin to digress a little if not for the purpose of argument,

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Approximate Word count = 2202
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Arts