John Sell Cotman's "Architectural Antiquities of Normandy" etchings from 1822

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Architectural Antiquities of Normandy
by John Sell Cotman; Accompanied by Historical and Descriptive Notices
by Dawson Turner, Esq. F.R. and A.S.

Published in London by J. & A. Arch in 1822

Original 190-year-old etchings on wove paper
Sheet size: 13.5 x 19.25 inches (one double page noted below)

John Sell Cotman (1782-1842) was an English landscape painter (mainly in watercolour) and etcher. He moved from Norwich to London in 1798, aged 16, and became a member of Dr. Monro's circle. As far as is known, he had no formal tuition in art, but by 1800 he was already accomplished enough to have six of his watercolours accepted for the annual Royal Academy exhibition.

Between 1800 and 1805 he made several sketching tours to Wales and Yorkshire and these resulted in some of his finest works. They did not bring him much success, however, and in 1806 he returned to his native city, where, together with Crome, he became the most important representative of the Norwich School. As well as depicting local scenery, he made several trips to France, which bore fruit in Architectural Antiquities of Normandy (1822), one of various books he illustrated with his etchings, which are now offered below.

In 1834 he moved to London to become professor of drawing at King's College, a position he held until his death. He was delighted to be offered the post, as he often had difficulty in making a living with his work and he was in debt at the time. Throughout his life he was also subject to periods of melancholia and despondency.

His sons, Miles Edward Cotman and John Joseph Cotman, also became painters of note.

[Refs: Adele M. Holcomb, John Sell Cotman, British Museum Publications, 1978; The Oxford Dictionary of Art]

Occasional fox marks present in the margins of some prints. Please click on the thumbnails for an enlarged view.

Plate 53

Crypt in the Church of St. Gervais at Rouen

$35

Plate 54

Church of St. Paul, at Rouen

$40
(foxed, see enlargement)

Plate 55

Church of St. Nicholas,
at Caen
West end

$60

Plate 56

Church of St. Nicholas,
at Caen
East end

$60

Plate 57

Church of Cheux near Caen

$50

Plate 58

Church of Bieville near Caen
from the North West

Plate 59

Church of Bieville near Caen
Elevation and Details

$40

Plate 60

Church of Fontaine-le-Henri
near Caen
North side of the Chancel

$50

Church of Fontaine-le-Henri near Caen

Plate 61

Church of Fontaine-le-Henri
near Caen
Elevations of the East end of the South side of the Chancel

Plate 66

Tower of the Church of Tréport, near Eu.

$60

Plate 67

Church of Anisy, near Caen

$60

Plate 68

Church of Perriers, near Caen

$60

Plate 69

Castle of Lillebonne

$60

Plate 70

Castle of Briquebec, near Valognes

$60

Plate 71

Church of St. Stephen, at Fécamp

$60

Plate 72

Screen in the Church of St. Laurence, at Eu

$50

Plates 73, 74
(Double page: sheet size=19.25x23.75 inches; with horizontal centerfold as issued)

Church of St. Peter, at Lisieux

$75

Plate 75

Church of St. Peter, at Lisieux
South Transept

$60

Plate 77

Fountain of the Stone Cross
at Rouen

$60

Palace of Justice, at Rouen

Plate 78

Palace of Justice, at Rouen
Interior of the Court

Church of Louviers

Plate 79

Church of Louviers
South Porch

Plate 82

Abbey Church of Montivilliers
West End

$65

Plate 83

Church of St. Sanson sur Rille
Remains of, & Capitals

$50

Plate 84

Church of Foullebec
West Doorway

$45

Church of the Holy Cross, at St. Lo

Plate 88

Church of the Holy Cross,
at St. Lo
Sculpture

Plate 89

Castle of Falaise
North West View

$60

Castle of Falaise

Plate 90

Castle of Falaise
North View

Interior of the Church of Creully

Plate 91

Interior of the Church of Creully

Plate 96

Mount St. Michel
Interior of Knight's Hall

$65
(foxed, see enlargement)

Plate 97

Abbey Church of Cerisy
Interior of the Choir

$45
(foxing)

Plate 98

Church of Oyestreham
West Front

$45
(foxing)

Cathedral Church of Notre Dame, at Seez

Plate 99

Cathedral Church of Notre Dame, at Séez
West Front

(very light foxing in image)

Plate 100

Cathedral Church of Notre Dame, at Séez
Elevation of the Nave

$45
(very light foxing in image)

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