John Piper CH
1903-1992
John Piper
John Piper (1903-1992) was an English painter of architecture, landscape and abstract compositions. His work often focused on the British landscape and included tapestry designs, screen-prints, fabrics and ceramics.
The artist trained at the Richmond School of Art followed by the Royal College of Art in London. He turned from abstraction early in his career, towards a more naturalistic approach.
Piper was a member of the London Group from 1933, and the Seven and Five Society from 1934 to 1935, exhibiting alongside the likes of Henry Moore, Ivon Hitchens and Christopher Wood.
The Tate holds 180 of Piper’s works. Other prestigious collections around the world with Piper’s work include Philadelphia Museum of Art, National Galleries of Scotland and the V&A Museum.
Available
St Gilles
£4,200
Glyders
£950
“There are things that British artists tend to do wonderfully well ... There’s a certain complex, understated colouring that recurs. John Piper thought it was partly about the weather: British eyes are accustomed to seeing things in a certain light. This is simple but makes sense. The great Spanish painters specialise in black shadows and intense light. The British are better at fathoming a thousand varieties of grey and green.”