ART enthusiasts from around the world can now view work by one of the Lake District's most famous painters - all from the comfort of their homes.

Over 50 artworks from the Ruskin Library at Lancaster University can be viewed online due to a new partnership with the Google Cultural Institute.

At the click of a button users will be able to see a selection of the library’s stunning collection of watercolours, drawings and early photographs by the Victorian writer and painter John Ruskin, who lived at Brantwood, on the shores of Coniston Water, in the 19th century.

Ruskin’s ‘Church of St Wulfran’ is one of 30 pieces of artwork that can now be viewed in never-before-seen definition thanks to Gigapixel technology, a powerful photo capturing process which has enabled the highest ever resolution image of the piece.

Viewers can explore it in extraordinary detail and experience it far beyond what is visible to the naked eye.

Using the Street View feature, people can move around the Ruskin Library virtually, selecting works that interest them and clicking to discover more or diving into the high resolution images, where available.

A specially designed Street View ‘trolley’ took 360 degree images of the galleries which were then stitched together, enabling smooth navigation of public areas within the Library.

Professor Stephen Wildman, director of the Ruskin Library, said: “This new partnership has given us an extraordinary platform from which to share our unique collection with millions of people.

“It makes our collection accessible and enjoyable not only to people who physically visit the Library, but to anyone with a computer or smart phone around the world. It also means that people can access the treasures of our collection all year round, even when they are not on display physically in the Library.

“We hope it will be an invaluable resource, giving people new ways to learn and teach about the life, work and legacy of John Ruskin.”