A Castle in Normandy
1818
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1818
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This sketch shows a crumbling stone castle clinging to a rocky hillside. The walls are uneven, with arched doorways and a tall tower on the right. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show texture—rough stones, crumbling edges, and a winding path leading up to the entrance. The drawing feels rough and unfinished, almost like a quick study. That’s because Cotman often worked this way, focusing on capturing the mood of a place rather than perfect details. If you like this style, check out Romanticism for more art that values emotion and nature over polished realism.
