Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5)
The second volume of John Ruskin's Modern Painters, published in 1846, turns from the defense of Turner in the first volume to a theory of beauty and imagination. Ruskin argues that the perception of beauty is a moral faculty, which he calls theoretic, distinct from mere sensual pleasure. He divides beauty into typical beauty, the qualities of form such as infinity, unity, repose, symmetry, purity and moderation that reflect divine attributes, and vital beauty, the joy and fitness of living things. The second section analyzes the imagination in its associative, penetrative and contemplative modes, with examples from Tintoretto, Dante and Shakespeare. The prose is ornate and impassioned. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5)
Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5) by John Ruskin can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5) online?
Yes. Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5) opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5) free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5) is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5) in the public domain?
Yes. Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5) by John Ruskin is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5)?
About 6 h 18 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5)?
Modern Painters, Volume 2 (of 5) by John Ruskin is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
