In the shadows of the British metropolis of London, in 1842, an artist saw the light of day who was to master the watercolor profession: Thomas Matthews Rooke. His extensive talent enabled him to work as a designer, assist other artists, and eventually be commissioned by none other than John Ruskin to produce architectural drawings. His work and life reflected the constant symbiosis of art and architecture, which is expressed in each of his art prints.
John Ruskin, the eminent Victorian-era art theorist and critic, recognized Rooke's talent and took him into his employ in 1879. By 1887 Rooke was receiving a salary from Ruskin, and by 1884 he found himself painting Italian architecture. Ruskin's ambitious project aimed to document threatened landscapes and buildings, using other artists such as Frank Randal and half a dozen others.
Concurrently, Rooke served as a studio assistant to Edward Burne-Jones from 1868 to 1898, a job that further honed his skills and understanding of art. Rooke also contributed to Sydney Cockerell and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and exhibited his work at the Royal Academy and the Grosvenor Gallery. A particular highlight was his involvement in the book Bedford Park, published in 1882, in which he celebrated the then fashionable garden suburb.
On the personal side, Rooke married Leonora Jane Jones. Their union produced the wood engraver Noel Rooke. The works of Thomas Matthews Rooke, whether original or high quality art prints, carry the essence of his artistic journey and are an integral part of British artistic heritage.
In the shadows of the British metropolis of London, in 1842, an artist saw the light of day who was to master the watercolor profession: Thomas Matthews Rooke. His extensive talent enabled him to work as a designer, assist other artists, and eventually be commissioned by none other than John Ruskin to produce architectural drawings. His work and life reflected the constant symbiosis of art and architecture, which is expressed in each of his art prints.
John Ruskin, the eminent Victorian-era art theorist and critic, recognized Rooke's talent and took him into his employ in 1879. By 1887 Rooke was receiving a salary from Ruskin, and by 1884 he found himself painting Italian architecture. Ruskin's ambitious project aimed to document threatened landscapes and buildings, using other artists such as Frank Randal and half a dozen others.
Concurrently, Rooke served as a studio assistant to Edward Burne-Jones from 1868 to 1898, a job that further honed his skills and understanding of art. Rooke also contributed to Sydney Cockerell and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and exhibited his work at the Royal Academy and the Grosvenor Gallery. A particular highlight was his involvement in the book Bedford Park, published in 1882, in which he celebrated the then fashionable garden suburb.
On the personal side, Rooke married Leonora Jane Jones. Their union produced the wood engraver Noel Rooke. The works of Thomas Matthews Rooke, whether original or high quality art prints, carry the essence of his artistic journey and are an integral part of British artistic heritage.
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