We welcome back Annick Pommier, who is continuing her PhD research at Université Paris Cité and who will talk about the impact of John Ruskin and J.M.W. Turner on Gaskell’s writing.

Gaskell’s dear American friend, Charles Eliot Norton, remembered a conversation with Gaskell and her daughters about the contemporary book they would choose if they were stranded on a desert island and how Gaskell chose Ruskin’s Modern Painters. This five-volume work, primarily written in defense of the painter J.M.W. Turner, had arguably much influence on Gaskell, especially in the second part of her writing career.

Annick’s talk will focus on how Ruskin’s aesthetics bore upon Gaskell’s later works and how she successfully transposed Turner’s pictorial technique into her aesthetics.

The meeting will take place at Francis Holland School, 39 Graham Terrace, London SW1W 8JF. Doors open at 12.45 – do bring a packed lunch to eat before the talk starts at 2.00 pm. Tea and coffee will be available afterwards and contributions of cake etc to go with these are very welcome!

All are welcome, both members and non-members. We ask for a £5 donation to cover our expenses.

You can buy a ticket to watch a (pre)recording of this talk here.