INTRODUCTION TO THE VOLUME

Summary

This is a North Italian volume, bringing together various writings upon Padua, Verona, and Venice. They belong for the most part to Ruskin's later period, and the volume comes in its chronological order, except that the first of the books here collected is of a much earlier date. It has been reserved for this place, partly because its inclusion in an earlier volume in its chronological place would have been difficult, and partly because the presentation in a single volume of Ruskin's shorter North Italian pieces is in itself convenient. The pieces thus collected are: I. Giotto and his Works in Padua, being Ruskin's descriptions of the frescoes in the Arena Chapel, to accompany the Arundel Society's series of woodcuts, together with an introductory essay on Giotto. The essay was written and published in 1853; the descriptions were published at various dates between 1853 and 1860. II. An essay on The Cavalli Monuments in the Church of St. Anastasia, Verona. This was written in 1872, to accompany a chromo-lithograph issued by the Arundel Society. III. The Guide to the Principal Pictures at the Academy of Fine Arts at Venice (1877). This was written during Ruskin's sojourn at Venice in 1876–1877. IV. St. Mark's Rest, for the most part written at the same time. V. A letter, and a circular, occasioned by the restorations of St. Mark's, Venice (1877–1880).