Sheriff Hutton Castle, Yorkshire c. 1808

John Sell Cotman’s “Sheriff Hutton Castle, Yorkshire” (c. 1808) is a watercolor painting that depicts the ruins of the castle in the English countryside. Cotman was a key figure in the Norwich School of painting, known for its atmospheric landscapes and architectural subjects. He captured the crumbling grandeur of the castle with delicate washes of color, emphasizing the textures of stone and the soft light of the English sky. This romantic depiction reflects the fascination with historical ruins prevalent in the early 19th century.