Stones of Venice [introductions]

"Stones of Venice" by John Ruskin is about a look into the heart of Venice during the 1800s, through the lens of its art and buildings, which tells of Venice's long and complex story, from its powerful start to its eventual fall. Ruskin uses his observations to dive into not jut the physical beauty of the city, but even how it mirrors changes in Venetian society and politics; he finds meaning in ruins and highlights the treasures that represent of the city’s past strength. The book sets out to question Venice's story and how its shifts in government and society led to its decline. John Ruskin invites everyone to explore the deeper meaning behind its buildings, connecting them to the moral and spiritual lessons woven into its complicated history.