According to Jeremy Maas, "Together with Thomas Carlyle, Ruskin was one of the most photographed of eminent men of the 19th century. He was always at his best full face, his profile sometimes assuming a somewhat predatory appearance with his prominent beak-like nose." Therfore, as one might expect, caricatures, including those by Max Beerbohm, David Levine, and Vanity Fair, emphasize Ruskin-with-a-beak. But as Maas points out, "As a young man he was quite handsome; as an old man his looks betokened the prophet and sage that he was. Perhaps the most striking early photograph is that taken by William Downey in 1863. Those taken by Frederick Hollyer are the finest of him in old age."
[Click on thumbnails for larger pictures and information about them, including date where known, source, and possible discussions by Ruskin, his editors, or others.]
Ruskin as Photographer
Photographs of Ruskin
