Frederick George Cotman Paintings

Frederick George Cotman was an English painter who was born on August 29, 1850, in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. He was part of the Norwich School of painters, a movement that was unique to Norwich, Norfolk, and was considered one of the most important provincial art movements in Britain during the 19th century. Cotman was particularly known for his expertise in watercolors and oils, and he often focused on domestic and rural scenes.

Cotman came from an artistic family; his uncle, John Sell Cotman, was a well-known artist associated with the Norwich School and a distinguished watercolorist. Influenced by his uncle's legacy, Frederick George Cotman pursued a career in art and developed his own artistic style. He trained at the Ipswich School of Art, and later, he furthered his studies in London.

Throughout his career, Cotman exhibited his works at various institutions, including the Royal Academy of Arts and the Society of British Artists. One of his most famous paintings is 'One of the Family', which he exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1880. This painting shows a rustic interior with a large family gathered around a table, including a dog that is being given pride of place. The work is celebrated for its detailed depiction of Victorian life and its warm portrayal of a family scene.

Cotman's paintings were well-received, and he gained a reputation for his ability to capture the light and atmosphere of a scene with a delicate touch. His works often depicted the English countryside and coastal scenes, as well as genre scenes of everyday life. He was skilled at using both bold colors and more subdued palettes to convey mood and time of day.

Despite his success, Frederick George Cotman's life was marred by tragedy when his wife and two of his children died. These events led him to relocate to Southsea for a period.

He continued to paint throughout his life, but he never achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries. Frederick George Cotman passed away on May 7, 1920, in Woking, Surrey. Today, his works can be found in various art collections, and he is remembered as a significant figure in the Norwich School of painters, contributing to the rich tradition of English landscape and genre painting.