John Piper and Stained Glass

John Piper (1903 - 1992) was one of Britain's leading artists, a pioneer in many fields, a war artist, stage designer and arguably the greatest twentieth century designer in stained glass. His work includes windows at Coventry Cathedral, Eton College, Robinson College, Cambridge and the magnificent tower lantern at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. This book is the first extensive study of Piper's work in stained glass, and explores his own ideas on the medium and how he felt the artist - usually working in other media - should meet its challenge. It was Piper's view that 'the great windows of modern times are all the work of artist working with collaborative craftsmen' and June Osborne has researched how Piper came to design stained glass and how his designs were interpreted by artist-craftsmen such as Patrick Reyntiens and latterley David Wasley and Joseph Nuttgens.

Over a hundred examples of Piper's stained glass from around the world are illustrated, allowing the reader to appreciate for the first time the range of the work, and in effect providing an illustrated historical catalogue for an exhibition which could never be staged. The author has collaborated with John Piper's widow Myfanwy, who gave her free access to Piper's studio, and has produced a work of unrivalled authority and scope. Many original cartoons are reproduced, showing Piper's unique approach to designing in the medium. The book explores Piper's relationship to the traditions of stained glass, reproducing many of the medieval windows that inspired him. Throuogh a discussion of his chronological development, an analysis of Piper's techniques and a consideration of the religious imperatives behind much of his work, this volume makes an important contribution to the history of twentieth-century art.

Also reproduced in the book is Piper's important text Stained Glass: Art or Anti-art? (1968) and a full list of his designs in stained glass, with notes on their compostition, setting and scheme.

You may also like

• The Prints of John Piper: Quality and Experiment.  A Catalogue Raisonné 1923-91: Revised £125.00
  Add to basket
• John Piper £75.00
  Add to basket

Artists Biography

(b Epsom, Surrey, 13 Dec 1903; d Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, 27 June 1992). English painter, printmaker, stage designer and writer. After a period as an articled clerk in his father’s law firm in London (1921–6) he attended Richmond School of Art (1926–7) and the Royal College of Art (1927–9), where he studied painting under Morris Kestelman (b 1905) and stained glass and lithography under Francis Spear. From 1931 to 1933 he showed paintings annually in the exhibitions of the London Group at the New Burlington Galleries, London, and in 1934 he was elected a member and shortly afterwards Secretary of the 7 & 5 Society. He was included in the 13th exhibition of the society at the Leicester Galleries in London, with such abstract constructions as String Solo (1934; priv. col., see 1983 exh. cat., p. 75). In the same year he met the English painter Myfanwy Evans, who was to become his wife in 1937 and his collaborator in his later stage work. His first abstract oil paintings, such as Abstract II (AC Eng), date from 1935, in which year he visited the studios of Brancusi, Arp and Jean Hélion in Paris, and of Alexander Calder at Varengeville.

Special Offers

• Dream States: Puvis De Chavannes, Modernism and the Fantasy of France £30.00£9.95
  Add to basket
• The Works of Charles Samuel Keene £57.50£14.95
  Add to basket
• Henry Moore Complete Sculpture: Volume 3: Sculpture 1955–64 £60.00£9.95
  Add to basket