John Sell Cotman: A Master of the Norwich School Born in Norwich, England, on May 16th, 1782, John Sell Cotman’s life was a testament to the enduring power of observation and a deep connection with the natural world. The son of a silk merchant and lace dealer, his early education at Norwich Grammar School laid the foundation for a career that would ultimately transcend the expectations of his family and establish him as a leading figure in the burgeoning Norwich School of landscape painting. Cotman’s artistic journey wasn't initially dictated by familial ambition; he harbored a fervent desir…