Robert Baldwin Ross
Robert Baldwin Ross was a British journalist, art critic, and art dealer, whose influence permeated the London literary and artistic scene from the mid-1890s until his untimely death in 1918. Best known for his deep and complex relationship with Oscar Wilde, Ross served not only as Wilde's devoted friend and lover but also as his literary executor, ensuring that Wilde's works would endure beyond his life. His connections and mentorship extended to notable figures such as Siegfried Sassoon, highlighting his role in shaping the artistic landscape of his time. Despite his significant contributions to literature and art, Ross faced considerable challenges due to his open homosexuality, which was criminalized in Victorian England. His life was marked by both personal and professional struggles, yet he remained a steadfast advocate for artistic expression and a vital participant in the cultural dialogues of his era. Ross's legacy is intertwined with Wilde's, and his efforts to preserve and promote Wilde's literary contributions have solidified his place in the annals of literary history.
Famous Quotes
View all 3 quotes“There is often as much sincerity, labour, and thought in bad painting as in good.”
“Telling one's friends to buy a book is a waste of time. One has to produce it from one's pocket and press it into their hands. The least one can hope for is that they'll leave it lying about in their drawing-rooms and talk as though they'd read it.”
“Don't paint your own period; paint your own country, your own thoughts, your own personality; paint the thoughts and the aspirations of your contemporaries, which should be for all time; not the clothes and fashions and follies that will soon past away.”
