South-East View of the Church of Ifs, Near Caen, Normandy c. 1820

John Sell Cotman rendered this view of the Church of Ifs in Normandy using delicate washes. Dominating the composition is the church spire, a symbol reaching far back into the collective psyche of humanity. Its form, echoes the ancient obelisks of Egypt, reaching towards the heavens. The spire is an embodiment of what I call ‘energetic traces,’ recurring symbols across cultures. Think of the Tower of Babel or even the minarets of Islamic architecture. There is always a sense of longing for transcendence, a physical manifestation of humanity's aspiration to connect with the divine. Here, Cotman captures more than just a building. He presents a vessel brimming with cultural memory. It stands as a testament to the human spirit's continuous need to express faith and reach for something beyond our grasp.