
Read the visual description
This is a drawing of a detailed facade of a historic stone building. The windows are decorated with ornate carvings and sculptures, featuring intricate frames with a pointed arch and tracery designs. Below the windows is an awning over a sidewalk, with figures in period clothing engaging in various activities. Another figure is seen sitting in an archway on the left side. The architectural details suggest a Gothic or Renaissance style, with richly adorned stonework and carefully rendered textures indicating attention to detail. The drawing captures an old street scene, suggesting social interaction and daily life in a bygone era.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
An Old House in the Rue Saint Jean at Caen, Normandy
John Sell Cotman
- Date
- 1817
- Medium
- graphite and wash on wove paper
- Dimensions
- sheet: 36.2 × 23.8 cm (14 1/4 × 9 3/8 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 2022.40.35
- Credit line
- Gift of Donald Stone
- Time span
- 1801 to 1825
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- Street
- Window
- Hat
- Building
- Figures
Provenance
Sir John Charles Robinson, London [1824 - 1913]; (sale, Christie's London, 17 April 1902, no. 88). J. & W. Vokins, London. (W.S. Fine Art, Andrew Wyld, London); Donald Stone, New York [1942 - 2020]; bequest to NGA, 2022.
Inscription
lower left in graphite: An Old House Rue St. Jean at Caen; lower right in graphite: J. S. Cotman Aug.st 6th 1817
NGA object ID 144845. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.