The Stones of Venice

Research and publication

Ruskin had visited Venice before, but he made two visits to Venice with his wife Effie specially to research the book. The first visit was in the winter of 1849-50. The first volume of The Stones of Venice appeared in 1851 and Ruskin spent another winter in Venice researching the next two volumes. His research methods included sketching and photography (by 1849 he had acquired his own camera so that he could take daguerreotypes).[3]

Sketch of an architectural detail made by John Ruskin for The Stones of Venice

Publication history

First editions

  • The Stones of Venice. Volume the First. The Foundations, 1851, Smith, Elder & Co., London
  • The Stones of Venice. Volume the Second. The Sea-stories, 1853, Smith, Elder & Co., London
  • The Stones of Venice. Volume the Third. The Fall, 1853, Smith, Elder & Co., London

Shortened editions

Various shortened editions of the book have been published, including one edited by J. G. Links published in the USA in 1960.[4]


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