The Relation of Art to Morals

A cycle of lectures on the relationship between the natural sciences and art was delivered by John Ruskin at Oxford in 1872 and later published under the title “The Eagle’s Nest.” The lectures cover a wide range of topics, including geology, botany, zoology, and astronomy, and are illustrated with numerous examples—because, as Ruskin argues, without understanding the world of nature, it is impossible to create truly meaningful works. He teaches how to seek inspiration in nature, to see beauty in the ordinary, and he emphasizes the importance of observation, imagination, and emotions in the artistic process.