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I tell you (dogmatically, if you like to call it so…

“I tell you (dogmatically, if you like to call it so, knowing it well) a square inch of man's engraving is worth all the photographs that were ever dipped in acid... Believe me, photography can do against line engraving just what Madame Tussaud's wax-work can do against sculpture. That and no more…” quote by John Ruskin
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“I tell you (dogmatically, if you like to call it so, knowing it well) a square inch of man's engraving is worth all the photographs that were ever dipped in acid... Believe me, photography can do against line engraving just what Madame Tussaud's wax-work can do against sculpture. That and no more. (1865)”

John Ruskin

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A tiny engraved image cannot match the expressive power of a photograph, just as wax figures cannot replace sculpture.

In simple terms: Engraving is limited compared to photography.

Key Takeaway

Value new media for its unique strengths.

Themes

art technology comparison history

Mood

reflective critical

Type

artistic historical

When to use this quote

  • museum curation
  • art education
  • visual communication
  • historical analysis

Key Concepts

photography engraving sculpture representation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do tools shape artistic expression?
  • When is traditional media still superior?
A Different Perspective

New media may lack depth of traditional techniques.

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