A SELECTION FROM THE COLLECTION OF WATERCOLOURS & DRAWINGS
Aqueduct, formerly identified as Chirk Aqueduct, John Sell Cotman
Aqueduct, formerly identified as Chirk Aqueduct
John Sell Cotman (1782-1842)
Great Britain
Pencil and watercolour on paper
31.6 x 23.2 cm
Museum no. 115-1892
Purchased, 1892
Cotman was a leading figure in the Norwich School. This watercolour of around 1806-7 is one of his key works. He toured Wales in 1800 and may have seen Chirk Aqueduct, near Wrexham. However, the traditional identification of this arresting work may not be correct. Monumentality is expressed by the implied infinity of the arches and the low viewpoint, mirrored by the reflection below.