Capitals and A & B Bas-Reliefs in the Abbey Church of Saint Georges de Bocherville, near Rouen, Normandy 1818

John Sell Cotman created this drawing titled "Capitals and A & B Bas-Reliefs in the Abbey Church of Saint Georges de Bocherville, near Rouen, Normandy" in 1817. The artwork presents a series of architectural carvings meticulously rendered in pencil and wash. Cotman's approach emphasizes the geometric forms and the dense, sculptural qualities of the capitals. The composition is structured as a grid, each section framing a different capital. This ordered arrangement invites a comparative analysis of the varying relief designs, ranging from human figures to animal motifs. Cotman's precise linework captures the texture and depth of the stone carvings, highlighting how light and shadow play across their surfaces. The use of a subdued palette focuses attention on the structural integrity of the forms. This work engages with a tradition of architectural study, documenting and classifying historical artifacts. It also reveals an interest in the semiotic potential of these forms—each capital, with its unique iconography, serves as a signifier of cultural and religious narratives. Cotman's drawing thus operates as both a record and an interpretation, inviting us to decode the visual language embedded in these historical artifacts.