Font at Happisburgh Church, Norfolk c. 1811

John Sell Cotman made this watercolor painting of the font at Happisburgh Church, Norfolk, sometime in the early 19th century. Cotman has rendered the stone of the font with remarkable attention to its material presence. You can almost feel the weight and texture of the stone, see the way that it has been worked by hand, chiseled and carved. The layered steps, the supporting figures, and the decorative frieze at the top are all carefully delineated, emphasizing the labor involved in its creation. We cannot tell from the painting when the font itself was originally made, or by whom. But it is clear that Cotman was fascinated by the way in which material and making can embody social and cultural values. He elevates the status of craft and the skill required to produce such an object. In doing so, he encourages us to look beyond traditional art historical categories and to consider the broader context in which objects are made and used.