Liber Studiorum: Plate 29, Harlech Castle, N. Wales
1838 · softground etching, from a bound volume containing 48 plates · Sheet: 49.6 x 32 cm (19 1/2 x 12 5/8 in.); Platemark: 18.9 x 12.5 cm (7 7/16 x 4 15/16 in.)
Cotman, Liber Studiorum: Plate 29, Harlech Castle, N. Wales, 1838. softground etching, from a bound volume containing 48 plates.
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Bequest of John Bonebrake
How to look at a Cotman
- Squint at a Cotman until it becomes a jigsaw of three values. Notice the pieces are large and few.
- Follow the main arch at Rievaulx and find the two springing points. The curve is constructed, not guessed.
- In the Normandy castle in graphite, count the stones actually drawn. Then notice where they are: edges, openings, near the ground.
Draw this
2 studies of this work
