john sell cotman was an english marine and landscape painter, etcher, illustrator, author and a leading member of the norwich school of painters.cotman was born in norwich, on 16 may 1782, the eldest son of a prosperous silk merchant and lace dealer. he was educated at the norwich school. he showed a talent for art from an early age and would often go out on frequent drawing trips into the countryside around norwich. his father intende…