Cotmania. Vol. III. 1928-9

May 29. Went to Rochester + visited the Ex[hibitio]n of the Rochester & West Kent Art Society. 3 Cotman watercolours & 1 Cotman oil had been lent by Dr. Cotman of Chatham. Also what was described as a watercolour portrait of J. S. C. - but it was, surely, a photograph - of the B[ritish] M[useum] drawing by M. E. C. or J. J. C. It was a browny black - faded ? framed oval. with 'John Sell Cotman' in handwriting rather like M. E. C.'s.
(1) A very fine watercolour of the interior of a Church [Capel-Carig, Caernarvonshire, s.g. etching 42. not reversed.] but with a figure with a spade. The whole thing bigger in design than the etching; the drawing very clean + fresh, delightful browns, chromes + his light blue. Signed 'J. S. Cotman 1803' about 9x12¼ - ex[hibite]d Tate 1920 (213)

{Sketch of Interior of a Church}

(2) A very spotted and foxed 'drawing copy' of Central Windmill with one on either side in distance. Church spire in distance left - very fine composition of sails and planks in foreground. Upper sky blue, lower part grey. Blue distance. Mills mouse-grey. foreground grey-green. all colour very subdued. c.1810-12. c. 8x12. Signed "1235. Cotman".
This is an early version of Acle Flats and Marshes, near Norwich - c. 1828-30 - belonging to Miss Littlewood of Erpingham Lodge, which was exh[ibite]d Tate Gallery 1922. No. 99 (see over)