Tower of the Village Church of Saint Maclou, Normandy 1818

John Sell Cotman’s 1818 watercolor, “Tower of the Village Church of Saint Maclou, Normandy”, depicts the architectural grandeur of the church, with its tall, pointed spire reaching towards a cloudy sky. The soft sepia tones of the drawing add to the sense of age and history of the structure, and the surrounding trees and foliage frame the tower, emphasizing its imposing presence. The artwork is characteristic of Cotman’s style, known for its romantic and picturesque views of English and European landscapes.