Framlingham Castle, Suffolk c. 1815

John Sell Cotman created this pencil drawing of Framlingham Castle in Suffolk. The castle, initially constructed in the 12th century, carries centuries of English history within its stones. Cotman sketched it during a period of intense social and political change in England. Cotman’s choice of subject reflects an interest in the historical narratives and the romanticism associated with ruins. During this period, landscape art served as a powerful medium for expressing national identity. Cotman presents the castle as a subject worthy of artistic attention, inviting viewers to contemplate the weight of history and its impact on the present. Look closely, do you see how Cotman's delicate lines capture the textures of the stone? It conveys a sense of the castle's resilience. Cotman asks us to consider how structures like Framlingham Castle embody collective memory and cultural heritage. Through his sensitive depiction, the artwork becomes a poignant reflection on time, memory, and the enduring power of place.