'He Stands in High Places'

The impact of the English critic John Ruskin was profound. When Whistler sued him for libel, the celebrated trial was heard at the Old Bailey.

In America, Ruskin’s 'Modern Painters' was published to great acclaim in 1847. In this talk James Heard explores the connections between Ruskin, Turner, the Pre-Raphaelites, and the great American artists Bierstadt, Church, Cole, and Moran.

Find out about the exhibition Through American Eyes: Frederic Church and the Landscape Oil Sketch (6 February – 28 April 2013).

Lunchtime talks

On Mondays and Thursdays, focus in on one painting with our talks in the Gallery, or explore wider themes in the collection at our in-depth theatre talks.

Image above: Frederic Edwin Church, Fern Walk, Jamaica (detail) © New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation / Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY