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Contact Exhibitor
Artist NameJohn Sell Cotman (1782-1842)
TitleA figure resting in a ruined Tower
Date of Artworkcirca 1830
MediumPencil
Size11 1/3 x 8 1/4 in. • 284 x 210 mm
SignedSigned lower left: J.S. Cotman

Provenance

Basil Taylor (1922-1975);
With Ackermann and Johnson, where bought by the present owners

Further Information

Architecture is central to Cotman's work and in particular the looming, isolated tower, standing in a landscape, seems to have particularly engaged the artist throughout his career. Here the atmosphere of the ruined tower, framing the seated figure is overtly romantic.

This drawing was formerly in the collection of one of the most eminent scholars of British art, Basil Taylor, who wrote widely on the subject and is regarded as being responsible for encouraging the great American collector, Paul Mellon's interest in British art.