How did Romantic ideas shape John Ruskin’s approach to art criticism?

Romantic ideas profoundly shaped John Ruskin’s approach to art criticism by shifting the focus from general, idealized truths to the observation of particular, natural details. By championing the work of J.M.W. Turner, Ruskin brought the assumptions of Romanticism into the practice of art criticism, arguing that art should reflect a profound knowledge of natural forms—such as skies, water, and vegetation—rather than adhering to rigid, neoclassical rules.1

Ruskin’s criticism was deeply rooted in a moral and ethical framework, viewing art as a "noble and expressive language" capable of conveying a sense of divine presence in nature. Influenced by the poetic prose of writers like William Wordsworth, he utilized vivid, descriptive language to evoke sensory experiences for his readers. Furthermore, his interest in the Gothic era reflected a Romantic preoccupation with medieval culture, which he contrasted against the perceived moral and social degradation of industrialization. Ultimately, Ruskin rejected the "art-for-art’s-sake" definition, maintaining that art is an inseparable expression of the social and moral conditions in which it is produced.123