Sculpture in the Church of St Peter, Caen 1821

Editor: So, this is John Sell Cotman's "Sculpture in the Church of St Peter, Caen." It depicts three friezes, almost like scenes from a play. They're rendered in delicate sepia tones. What strikes me is how dreamlike they feel, almost faded from memory. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It feels like a secret language, doesn't it? Cotman is recording something ancient, allowing us a peek into a forgotten world. I see a yearning for the past, a way to hold onto stories that were in danger of disappearing. The sepia wash gives it the air of a cherished antique. The work transports me into contemplating history. What do you think it depicts? Editor: I wonder if each frieze tells its own story or are they just decorative? I’m intrigued by the second one, with the figure hugging an animal. Curator: Yes, there's definitely a narrative thread running through them, I think. The figures are frozen in time, each gesture suggesting a much larger story. It's like glimpsing a fragment of a lost epic. Editor: It definitely makes you appreciate how much we’ve lost in terms of historical context. Thank you for illuminating my vision.