Rusky

I was just reading about John Ruskin, the great 19th century art critic. Most of his life was about art and social criticism.

A serious conversation of Ruskin should deal with all that material.  Yet it's hard to ignore his marriage, while a young man, to Effie Gray.

Apparently, she disgusted him.  Not her face, which he saw as beautiful (and contemporary paintings agree), but seeing his wife in the nude for the first time.

It's not entirely clear what was going on, though up to his wedding night, the only naked women he'd seen were probably statues.

Some believe it was pubic hair that revolted him.  Others claim it was menstruation.  Perhaps it was something else.  Either way, his marriage was annulled after six years for non-consummation.

Like I said, no matter what else you think of his work, it's hard to ignore this story.