Interior of Norwich Cathedral; Doorway and Screen Between the South Transept and the Aisle of the Presbytery c. 1808

John Sell Cotman made this watercolor painting of Norwich Cathedral at an unknown date. The muted tones and delicate washes of color invite us to consider the architecture not just as a visual spectacle, but also as a testament to human labor and skill. Look at the intricate tracery of the doorway and screen. Each line, each curve, speaks to the hand of the stone carver who meticulously shaped the raw material into a breathtaking display of gothic artistry. The cathedral itself represents a massive investment of resources and manpower, a collective endeavor spanning generations. Consider the social context in which it was built: a hierarchical society where the labor of many was directed towards the glorification of the church and the elite. Cotman's choice of watercolor, a medium often associated with delicacy and transience, adds another layer of meaning. It reminds us that even the most monumental structures are subject to the passage of time.