Piper, John: St Anne’s, Limehouse, London, by Nicholas Hawksmoor
£2,250.00
A lithograph from the ‘Retrospect of Churches’ suite, the print is in excellent condition, it has been newly framed and is signed and numbered 48 of 70.
This magnificent church was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor and consecrated in 1730. St Anne’s is Grade I listed, it is one of only 6 churches Hawksmoor designed in London and is about to undergo major restoration.
The large four sided pyramid shown in the graveyard is a mystery. The four pinnacles of the main west tower are capped with pyramids with a similar shape but are much smaller. The top of one of the faces of the graveyard pyramid is inscribed ‘The Wisdom of Solomon’ and under it is carved a raised coat of arms on which a unicorn is discernible.
More images can be provided on request.
Artist: John Piper (British, 1903-1992), signed and inscribed in pencil in the margin
Title and date: St Anne’s, Limehouse, London, by Nicholas Hawksmoor 1964, (Levinson 141)
Print size: 70.8 x 47.9 cms.
Description
Artist description:
Born in Epsom, John Egerton Christmas Piper studied at Richmond School of Art and the Royal College of Art from 1926-8. In the mid 1930a, 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 1934-5. 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. 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. His work is held in many Museums and Galleries.