John Sell Cotman

Llangollen

1801

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment
Artist
John Sell Cotman 1782–1842
Medium
Graphite and watercolour on paper
Dimensions
Support: 188 × 288 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996
Reference
T08237

Display caption

This watercolour has faded quite a lot but it is included in this display because it was the first important watercolour Paul Oppé acquired. He bought it at an auction sale in London in April 1904. It was an expensive purchase which he made after some hesitation. But its acquisition was crucial in helping him decide to carry on collecting English watercolours. This work is a product of Cotman's first formative tour to Wales in 1800. With its powerful tonal contrasts and sombre colouring it shows the influence which Thomas Girtin's watercolours had on him at this time.

Gallery label, September 2004

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