The Ruskin designed by Sir Richard MacCormac CBE, 1997 © Peter Durant
John Ruskin, ‘Cloud Study: Ice Clouds over Coniston’, 1880, 1996P1216 © The Ruskin, Lancaster University
The Ruskin ‘Museum of the Near Future’ exhibition, 2020 © The Ruskin, Lancaster University
John Ruskin, ‘Rocks and torrent, Glenfinlas’, 1853, 1996P1465 © The Ruskin, Lancaster University
John Ruskin & Frederick Crawley, ‘Rouen. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame. North transept door’, 1854, 1996D0125 © The Ruskin, Lancaster University
John Ruskin, ‘Snowclad Mountains’, n.d., 1996P0995 © The Ruskin, Lancaster University
John Ruskin, ‘Choir Stalls, Carlisle Cathedral’, 1838, 1996P0888 © The Ruskin, Lancaster University
Look closely
See clearly
Imagine freely
Free Admission
The Ruskin - Museum
The Ruskin is home to the leading collection of works by the epoch-defining writer, artist and social thinker John Ruskin (1819–1900) and his circle.
The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection was formed by the educationalist and Liberal MP, John Howard Whitehouse (1873–1955), and contains thousands of paintings and drawings, books and manuscripts, and prints and photographs. It is the most extensive collection of Ruskin’s works in the world, and the most widely consulted. The Collection is housed in Lancaster University’s award-winning museum designed by Sir Richard MacCormac, and at Ruskin’s home, Brantwood, on Coniston Water.
The Ruskin -
Research Institute
Ruskin was a polymath. The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection offers a 360° view of the origins of Ruskin’s thinking and of the nineteenth century. It is also a springboard for exploring social, cultural and environmental issues today.
The Ruskin – Research Institute is integrated with The Ruskin’s public-facing programme, producing ‘live’ research through exhibitions, events, publications and digital activities.
Our research is produced through the Collection to enhance knowledge and understanding of it. Research also encompasses specialist and interdisciplinary research fields thematically linked to the Collection.
Our People
The Ruskin’s Director, Professor Sandra Kemp, leads the Museum and Research Institute.
See here for more information on The Ruskin – Museum’s team, The Ruskin – Research Institute’s affiliated Researchers and The Ruskin Advisory Board.
To volunteer and get involved, contact us.
Our Exhibitions
Visit our exhibitions on site and online. While the Museum is closed for refurbishment, works from the Collection are displayed at Brantwood, and at museums and galleries nationally and internationally.
Visit Us
The Ruskin is closed to the public during a period of building renovation.
While our doors are temporarily closed, exhibitions and events are taking place off-site and online.
Visit the What’s On page to find out more.
Search the Collection
Visit our Collection Platform to access thousands of digitised works and ephemera in the Collection online.
Brantwood
Works from the Collection are also on display at Brantwood, John Ruskin’s house and estate on the shores of Coniston Water, in the Lake District. Visit Brantwood’s website to discover a programme of exhibitions, concerts, courses and special events.
Ruskin Collections and Networks
We work in partnership with other Ruskin organisations and collections, nationally and internationally.
Image Requests
The Ruskin welcomes the promotion of the Collection through the authorised publishing and reproduction of images in our care, and by providing material for research.
Reading Room
Everyone is welcome as a reader at The Ruskin. However, access to the Collection is restricted while the building is closed for refurbishment and the Collection is in temporary off-site storage.
To consult items in the Collection, please email us at the-ruskin@lancaster.ac.uk to request access to the Collection.
The Shop - Coming Soon
See a preview of the range of products we will be offering in our online store coming soon.
Latest News
Browse our latest news articles to read about our recent exhibitions, events, projects, publications, workshops, and more.
Ruskin’s Botanical Studies in the Data Immersion Suite – Summer 2025
The Ruskin will host a digital exhibition in Lancaster University’s new Data Immersion Suite. John Ruskin’s lecture diagrams and other works will be displayed on high-resolution screens, showcasing the quality and versatility of the Collection.
Explore Lifelong Learning invites The Ruskin to present
The Ruskin are presenting to Explore Art in Newcastle on 19 May 2025, introducing the group to John Ruskin, the Collection, and a deep-dive into daguerreotypes.
Proust y las artes
Works from The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection are on loan as part of the ‘Proust y las artes’ exhibition at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bournemisza in Madrid.
Ruskin VR/AR at Windermere Science Festival
The Ruskin VR is at Windermere Science Festival this year, offering families a chance to try out our latest VR experiences and the AR postcards.
Ruskin VR at Pop-Up Study UK event in Kuala Lumpur
The Ruskin is showcasing new VR and AR experiences at the British Council Malaysia’s Pop-Up Study UK event in the Sunway Pyramid, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Three Italian Daguerreotypes to be displayed at the National Library of Scotland
Three daguerreotypes depicting Venice, Florence and Pisa will go on display at the National Library of Scotland in their display – ‘Images of Italy’.
Works featuring in photography exhibition at Musée d’art modern Andre Malraux
Daguerreotypes from The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection are featuring in the exhibition 'Photography in Normandy: A pioneering dialogue between the art forms (1840-1890)' at MuMa in Le Havre, France.
The Ruskin – a future focussed on research and engagement
Renovations will soon be made to future-proof The Ruskin building so it can continue to meet University Museum accreditation standards, allowing an internationally significant collection to come home to Lancaster.
Ruskin Roadshow
The Ruskin Project offers a set of experiences utilising Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) that capture the essence of John Ruskin’s art and philosophy.
A celebration of John Ruskin in the Age of Science
Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield hosted a reception and private view of The Ruskin’s new exhibition, 'John Ruskin and the Science of Sight', at the Royal Society in London.
Honorary Doctorates for Professor Dinah Birch CBE and Gabriel Meyer
The degrees of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, were conferred on Professor Dinah Birch CBE and Gabriel Meyer, as part of the 2022 Graduation Ceremonies at Lancaster University.
John Ruskin in the Age of Science
'John Ruskin in the Age of Science' is a series of exhibitions at Brantwood, Ruskin’s former home on Coniston Water, and at the Royal Society, London.
February Half Term with The Ruskin
Looking for inspiration this February half-term? Join us to experiment with natural print at Lancaster’s own Eco Hub, create architecture-inspired art at Lancaster Castle, and imagine ‘future utopias’ at The Venue, Morecambe.
The Ruskin – Winter Workshops at the Castle
This Winter, join The Ruskin for our series of creative workshops led by artists and makers, in the historic surroundings of Lancaster Castle.
In Memoriam: Dr James S. Dearden
It is with great sorrow that we mark the passing of Dr James S. Dearden.
October Half-Term with The Ruskin
Looking for inspiration this October half-term? Join us for artist-led sketch/walks, spellbinding storytelling, and sustainable sculpture, and get creative this Autumn with The Ruskin.
Tomorrow’s World Today: Ruskin, Art and Science
This summer, The Ruskin has partnered with the Royal Society for the 2021 edition of Summer Science, a week-long festival celebrating cutting edge UK science.
Discover nineteenth century innovations in art and science with The Ruskin and the Royal Society
This summer The Ruskin has partnered with the Royal Society for the 2021 edition of Summer Science a week-long festival celebrating cutting edge UK science.
The Ruskin & The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection
Planned capital works will represent the most comprehensive upgrade of The Ruskin’s facilities and systems since the iconic building was completed in 1997, and increase future public access to The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection.
A Model Archive
'A Model Archive' is an exhibition, workshop and micro-commission exploring the relevance of the design archive today for different uses, and users, as part of the ESRC ‘Festival of Social Science’ 2020.
2020-2021 Seminar Series: ‘Ruskin Beyond Britain’
We explore the international significance of Ruskin’s legacy in our seminar series ‘Ruskin Beyond Britain’.
‘Look to the skies…’
Lancaster University are launching the collection digitally, using John Ruskin’s works to inspire creative discussion and reflection in challenging times.
‘Ruskin: Museum of the Near Future’ Exhibition Extended to 28 Feb 2020
The redevelopment of The Ruskin - Library, Museum and Research Centre at Lancaster University continues with the extension of current exhibition Ruskin: Museum of the Near Future.
The Ruskin Seminar Programme 2019-2020
The Ruskin Seminars invite scholars, artists and thinkers to explore how Ruskin’s ideas can unlock the pressing cultural, social and environmental issues of today and tomorrow.
Lancaster exhibition celebrates purchase of world-leading John Ruskin collection
Lancaster University and the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) are delighted to announce the purchase of the Whitehouse Ruskin Collection.
Archive of visionary thinker secured for the nation
Lancaster University and the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) are delighted to announce the purchase of the Whitehouse Ruskin Collection.
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