John Sell Cotman was a prominent English marine and landscape painter, etcher, illustrator, and author. Born on May 16, 1782, in Norwich, England, Cotman was the eldest son of a prosperous silk merchant and lace dealer. He showed an early talent for art and was educated at the Norwich School.
Early Career
Cotman's artistic career began when he moved to London in 1798, where he met artists such as
J. M. W. Turner,
Peter de Wint, and
Thomas Girtin. He joined Girtin's sketching club and traveled with him to Wales and Surrey. In 1800, Cotman exhibited at the Royal Academy for the first time, showing scenes of Surrey and Harlech Castle.
Notable Works and Collections
Some of Cotman's notable works can be found in the
Castle Museum and Art Gallery in Norwich, which houses over 2000 pieces of his art. His work is also represented at the
Tate Gallery, the
British Museum, and the
Victoria and Albert Museum in London. In the United States, Cotman's work can be found at the
Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, Connecticut.
Key aspects of Cotman's style include his use of watercolor, pencil, and chalk to produce many hundreds of etchings. His work is characterized by its attention to detail and ability to capture the beauty of the natural world.
Influence and Legacy
Cotman was a leading member of the
Norwich school of artists and played an important role in shaping the development of British art. His sons,
Miles Edmund Cotman and
John Joseph Cotman, also became notable painters in their own right.
For more information on John Sell Cotman's life and work, visit
https://WahooArt.com/@/John-Sell-Cotman or the
Wikipedia page dedicated to his biography.