Beschreibung:

John Ruskin Four autograph letters signed, to Duncan C. Dallas with related letters and a photograph, 1869-1883 comprising 4 autograph letters signed and one letter signed, (178 x 114mm.), 7 pages, 4 franked envelopes to Dallas, "Photographic Engraver", and 4 shorthand and 3 longhand transcriptions of letters from Dallas to Ruskin, 1869 [with:] carte de visite photograph of Ruskin, by Elliott & Fry, 1870 [with:] John Ruskin autograph letter signed ("JR"), to “Dear Gabrielle”, wishing her the best sort of Christmas at home and hoping that there is no mistletoe about, 1 page, 8vo, 24 December 1883 RUSKIN QUARRELS WITH AN ENGRAVER: "Your request for leave to try your process on a Turner is wholly ridiculous". The unsuspecting Duncan Dallas wrote to John Ruskin and asked if he might send samples of his new process of photographic engraving. Ruskin's acerbic remarks and criticisms reveal the burden to which he felt subjected by his position in the art world: "You do not have the slightest idea of my business or of the multitudinous applications for attention from all sorts of people with all sorts of inventions - which are to be perfect - if only I will assist." When Dallas complains about Ruskin's attitude, the critic replies, "You will find that I am kind - as you have heard - to the poor and to the weak. But not to poor and weak artists". In the end, the photographer regrets ever having written, after Ruskin remarked, "You might as well cover one of the Liber Studiorum with street mud and engrave it in that state as by your present process".