Piper, John: Wigmore Abbey Gateway, Herefordshire – SOLD

£2,500.00

A stunning limited edition screenprint of this Herefordshire abbey, one of John Piper’s most striking prints, numbered 39 of 70, signed, numbered and framed.

Wigmore Abbey was an Augustinian abbey with a grange, situated about a mile (2 km.) north of the village of Wigmore, in the county of Herefordshire, only ruins of the abbey now remain. The abbey was founded by Ranulph de Mortimer and his son, Hugh de Mortimer in 1179 in the parish of Leintwardine. The construction of the abbey was also assisted by other local landowners including Brian de Brampton, who contributed building materials from his woods and quarries. At the time it was the largest monastery in the county, followed by Abbey Dore and Leominster Priory. The abbey continued to flourish until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1530, when it was destroyed. Since 2002, the abbey has been owned by the actor John Challis (best known as ‘Boycie’ from Only Fools and Horses), who lives in the abbot’s lodging, the only building to survive.

More images can be provided on request.


Artist: John Piper (British, 1903-1992)


Title and date: Wigmore Abbey Gateway, 1981, (Levinson 323)


Size: 55.8 x 79.2 cms.


Out of stock

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.