West Front of the Church of Oyestraham [Ouistreham], near Caen, Normandy 1820

John Sell Cotman made this watercolor drawing of the West Front of the Church of Ouistreham in Normandy, sometime in the early 19th century. Cotman was a master of watercolor, a medium that was becoming increasingly popular at the time due to its portability and relative ease of use. In this work, he skillfully employs delicate washes and precise linework to capture the architectural details of the church facade. Note how the layered application of the watercolor creates a sense of depth and texture, emphasizing the stone's weathered surfaces. Cotman’s choice of watercolor connects him to a broader social trend. As manufactured paints became more accessible, art-making expanded beyond the traditional academic studios. Amateurs and professionals alike took to the medium, documenting landscapes, architecture, and scenes of everyday life. This democratization of art materials allowed for a wider participation in visual culture. Cotman was part of this movement. He sold his services as a drawing master, part of a cultural shift that saw artistic skill as an increasingly valuable asset for the middle classes.