Piper, John: Arundel (dark blue background) – 14 figures only
£900.00
Designed by John Piper, this screenprinted fabric was manufactured by Arthur Sanderson who commissioned the artist as part of the Sanderson Fabrics centenary celebrations in 1960. The design was composed of a repeat of 15 brightly coloured vertical frames containing figures. This piece of fabric had a fault affecting the final frame and therefore consists of 14 figures – as in the illustration. Although it remains an impressive art work, this is reflected in the much lower price.
The panel is in excellent condition and will be professionally mounted, glazed and framed on commissioning. Because of its size, it is expensive to have packaged and delivered and unless collected, I’m afraid we have to make an additional charge of £50 towards shipping costs.
Each frame is a vibrant abstract composition of colour and form in its own right. However, there is a loosely described draped figure within each of the frames, each of which has the suggestion of a crown on their head. The repetition of figures in the design recalls the carved figures around the base of the tomb of Thomas, 5th Earl of Arundel (d.1415) in the Fitzalan Chapel of Arundel Castle.
More images can be provided on request.
Artist: John Piper (1903 – 1992)
Title and date: Arundel, 1959, issued 1960
Size: 39 x 110 cms.
Description
Artist Description:
Born in Epsom, John Egerton Christmas Piper studied at Richmond School of Art and the Royal College of Art from 1927-8. In the mid 1930s, after a visit to Paris, he turned to abstraction. He became a member of the London Group in 1933 and the ‘Seven and Five’ group in January 1934. During this period he became friends with Oliver Simon of the Curwen Press and his interest in lithography and print making grew. During the Second World War, Piper was appointed as an official war artist recording the effects of the blitz on Britain’s buildings, especially churches. After the war, he became a Trustee of the Tate and National Galleries and in 1959 he became a member of the Royal Fine Art Commission. Piper is best known for his extensive studies of British architecture and landscape in oil, watercolour and print, and for his photography, stained glass, ceramics, fabric design, murals, stage sets and costume design as well as some 40 years editing the Shell Guide series. His work is held in many Museums and Galleries.