West Window of Snettisham Church, Norfolk 1818

John Sell Cotman’s pencil drawing depicts the West Window of Snettisham Church, Norfolk. Although undated, this piece reflects Cotman’s interest in architectural antiquarianism, a pursuit that gained momentum in England as a way to preserve national identity. Cotman's detailed rendering captures the intricate tracery of the Gothic window, an architectural style deeply intertwined with the church's identity. This was a period of social and political upheaval, and the detailed observation of such structures served as a form of historical record. Cotman doesn't just offer a visual record of a window; he invites us to consider the cultural values embedded in the architecture itself. As we engage with this drawing, we might contemplate the window as more than just a structural element, but as a symbolic frame through which to view both the sacred and the secular. It reminds us that the way we frame history profoundly shapes our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.