WorkCook and Wedderburn's catalogue refers to this cast as one of 'A collection of plaster casts taken under Ruskin's supervision from decorative sculpture of the best period at Venice and Rouen.' (
Works, 30, p. 188)
Ruskin on SculptureThe reason for the Museum's emphasis on sculpture is given in Ruskin's 'General Statement Explaining the Nature and Purposes of St George's Guild' (1882):
'Sculpture is the foundation and school of painting; but painting, if first studied, prevents, or at least disturbs, the understanding of the qualities of Sculpture. Also, it is possible to convey a perfect idea of the highest quality of Sculpture by casts, and even, in the plurality of cases, to know more of it by a well-lighted cast than can be known in its real situation.