Perspective Elevation of Part of the Abbey Church of Saint Stephen at Caen, Normandy 1818

John Sell Cotman made this watercolor drawing of the Abbey Church of Saint Stephen at Caen, Normandy, sometime between 1782 and 1842. Cotman's architectural drawings were part of a broader cultural interest in medieval buildings during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as these structures came to embody national history. This image presents a detailed view of the Abbey's interior, emphasizing its Romanesque arches, columns, and vaulted ceilings. The precision and detail suggest that this drawing was not only an aesthetic exercise but also a form of documentation, reflecting the growing scholarly interest in architectural history. Cotman was part of a network of artists and antiquarians who aimed to record and classify Britain’s architectural heritage. Understanding Cotman’s drawing requires us to look at how architectural drawings were made and used in his time. Researching the archives of architectural societies, and the pattern books used by architects and builders, can shed light on this image. We can better appreciate the cultural meanings that this church held in Cotman’s time by recognizing the historical and institutional contexts of the artwork.