Seven Lamps · Curious Questions

"The Seven Lamps of Architecture" by Ruskin appeared in 1849. The whole design of the work seems to be an effort to introduce a new and higher conception of the significance of architecture. It is beautifully written, and finely illustrated by the author himself. The seven lamps are as follows:--
The Lamp of Sacrifice.
The Lamp of Truth.
The Lamp of Power.
The Lamp of Beauty.
The Lamp of Life.
The Lamp of Memory.
The Lamp of Obedience.

John Ruskin, an English author, was born in London, in 1819. Nearly all of his works relate to the arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture. In all three branches he is considered high authority. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford, where he gained the Newdigate prize for English poetry in 1839, and took his degree in 1842.

The following year appeared the first volume of his "Modern Painters." The fifth and last volume of this work was not published until 1860. The unequalled splendor of Ruskin's style has given him the first place among writers on art. In 1871 the University of Cambridge conferred on him the degree of LL.D.

In his latest and complete edition of his works, annotated with great care and fidelity, he abandons many of his early positions, and reverses his former judgments, daring to acknowledge that in his development he has seen reason to change his views.