Elevation of the Church of Columbiers, near Valognes, Normandy 1818

John Sell Cotman made this drawing, "Elevation of the Church of Columbiers, near Valognes, Normandy," with pencil and grey wash on paper. The architectural study presents the church’s facade in a flattened perspective, emphasizing its structure. Cotman meticulously outlines the church's features, focusing on the geometric clarity of its Gothic elements. The facade is compartmentalized, with each section receiving equal attention, from the lancet windows to the soaring central tower. The limited tonal range of the grey wash enhances the linear precision, creating a sense of depth and shadow. What’s intriguing here is the way Cotman treats the architectural subject with a formalist eye. He reduces the church to a series of shapes and lines, inviting us to appreciate the underlying architectural forms rather than simply depicting a picturesque scene. The composition destabilizes the traditional representation of space and volume, prompting a reconsideration of how we perceive architectural forms. This challenges conventional artistic values, emphasizing structure and design.