Sculpture on a Suite of Capitals in the Cloisters of the Abbey Church of Saint Georges de Bocherville, near Rouen, Normandy 1818

John Sell Cotman made this drawing of the sculptural details of the capitals in the cloisters of the Abbey Church of Saint Georges de Bocherville. The relief panels, carved into the stone, depict various biblical scenes and moral allegories reflecting the medieval worldview. Observe the procession of figures, likely representing a religious order or community. Their solemn gestures are echoed in countless artistic renditions of religious subjects across time. Notice the motif of armed horsemen, reminiscent of scenes of conquest and power found in Roman triumphal arches. The depiction of violence carries echoes of ancient battle scenes, where similar figures on horseback symbolize dominance and victory. Consider the symbolic weight of these images. How do they tap into our collective memory of power, faith, and morality? The gestures and symbols portrayed here resurface throughout art history, continually evolving and acquiring new layers of meaning. They act as a conduit, connecting us to the cultural and psychological currents of the past.