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 intended him to go into the family business but instead, intent on a career in art, he moved to london in 1798, initially making a living through commissions from prin…