John Piper Art for Sale: 67 Prints & Originals available

John Piper was a prolific British artist, writer, and designer, known for his innovative use of abstract and semi-abstract forms in both his paintings and his architectural work. Born on December 13, 1903, in Epsom, Surrey, England, his early life was marked by a love of the outdoors, and a love of art that was nurtured by his father, who was a solicitor and amateur artist. Piper was educated at Epsom College and later studied at Richmond School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London.

In the 1930s, Piper became associated with the British abstract art movement, working alongside artists such as Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. Piper's early works were heavily influenced by these artists, displaying an emphasis on geometric shapes and simple, almost monochromatic colour palettes. However, Piper soon began to develop his own distinct style, combining elements of abstraction with more traditional landscape painting.

During World War II, Piper was appointed as an official war artist. He documented the impact of the war on the British landscape, including the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in 1940. His emotive paintings of ruined buildings, such as the famous The Baptistry Window, Coventry Cathedral, captured the destruction and devastation caused by the war but also the resilience of the British spirit.

John Piper passed away on June 28, 1992, in Fawley Bottom, England, but his artistic legacy lives on. His innovative approach to blending abstract and figurative elements in his work has influenced generations of artists, and his architectural designs continue to be celebrated as modern masterpieces. Today, Piper's art can be found in numerous public and private collections worldwide, and his contributions to the world of art and design will forever be remembered.

One of the characteristics that set Piper apart from his contemporaries was his fascination with the British countryside and its historic architecture. He embraced the Romantic tradition of landscape painting, exploring the relationship between man and nature, while also incorporating abstract forms to create a modern visual language. This unique approach to art earned Piper widespread acclaim, and his paintings were soon exhibited at major galleries in London, including the National Gallery and the Tate.

Piper's fascination with architecture also led him to work as a set designer for theatre productions in London. He collaborated with some of the most celebrated playwrights of the time, including Benjamin Britten, creating visually stunning sets and costumes that captured the mood and atmosphere of the plays.

In the 1950s and 60s, Piper expanded his artistic practice to include stained glass design, creating impressive windows for churches and public buildings throughout the United Kingdom. One of his most famous projects was the design of the stained-glass windows for the new Coventry Cathedral, which was built to replace the original structure destroyed during the war. Piper's windows, with their abstract patterns and vibrant colours, are considered some of the finest examples of modern stained-glass art.

Throughout his career, Piper was also a prolific writer and critic, publishing numerous books and articles on art, architecture, and British heritage. He was an advocate for the preservation of historic buildings and was a founding member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Titles by John Piper include Stained Glass: Art or Anti-Art?, Shropshire, A Shell Guide and, Buildings and Prospects.

The 1930s marked a pivotal period in John Piper's artistic journey, witnessing the emergence of his matured style. During this defining era, he embraced a more abstract approach that sought to distil the pure essence of his art through meticulous material exploration. Painting (1935) encapsulates Piper's unwavering commitment to this vision. Employing a constructivist technique, he excised specific sections of the canvas and applied a diverse palette of paint, and bold colours, resulting in a tapestry of textures on panel that interplay harmoniously with fractured geometric forms, forming a seamless union. This particular painting serves as a quintessential representation of British Abstraction.

Painting boasts an illustrious exhibition history, with a notable presentation at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2003. Its significance was further underscored by setting Piper's auction record commanding £482,500 (fees included) at Christie's in November 2013.

Forms On A White Ground (1935) exemplifies a striking display of boldly hued cut canvas laid meticulously upon a panel, painted in a spectrum of whites and greys. This intricate composition interlaces geometric shapes, exploring the interplay between intersecting geometries. John Piper strategically introduces a black rectangle with an appended semicircle at the artwork's core, establishing a focal point that amplifies the visual impact and spatial depth. The intentional placement of this black element guides the viewer's gaze towards specific geometric configurations, elevating its dynamism and abstract intricacy.

This artwork boasts an illustrious provenance that traces back to Sir Clifford Norton, an officer in World War I and the ambassador is Athens. Norton acquired this piece from Piper in 1966 and consigned it to Christie's, where it initially achieved a hammer price of £24,997. In June 2020, the painting resurfaced at Christie's in 2020, achieving £371,250 (fees included). These two sales unequivocally underscore the escalating value of Piper's paintings and the coveted nature of his abstract works.

Abstract Painting (1935) showcases an intricate interplay of geometric forms that create tactile textures through partially cut canvas and a masterful orchestration of colours. In this particular artwork, John Piper employs black geometries skillfully cut by various shapes in shades of grey. This arrangement achieves a dynamic equilibrium, guiding the viewer's gaze through the composition and providing an expressive and less representational viewing experience. Additionally, fine black lines strategically disrupt the harmonious balance within the intersecting white and orange focal points. Piper's meticulous focus on geometry becomes apparent as he masterfully divides the composition using vertical colour elements. However, he skillfully reunites these disjointed colours through a unifying network of fine-dotted black lines, emphasising his deliberate and thoughtful approach.

Abstract Painting achieved £362,500 (fees included), at Christie's in November 2015.