Portrait of a Scholar c. 1802

John Sell Cotman created this Portrait of a Scholar, using graphite and watercolor on paper. Cotman's swift, delicate strokes of graphite are evident in the soft lines defining the scholar's face and clothing, and the shading of watercolor imbues the portrait with a sense of warmth and depth. The scholar is caught in a moment of contemplation, perhaps immersed in his studies, and the artist hints at his intellectual pursuits with the inclusion of a rolled scroll on the table. Cotman's technical skill lies in his ability to evoke both physical likeness and a sense of the sitter's inner life. Although we can only speculate about the man's identity, the artist has imbued this relatively humble drawing with both dignity and humanity. Consider the labor and time involved in creating such a work, from the cultivation of the materials to the artist's technical skill. The value of the work, and the status of the man portrayed, lies in this subtle combination of material and talent.