John Piper: The Forties

by David Fraser Jenkins

This book re-examines the work of John Piper who, as well as being a prominent painter, printmaker and photographer, was an active figure in many cultural spheres during the 1940s when the foundations of his reputation were laid.

The book brings together work that was officially commissioned during the Second World War and contextualises it with work from the pre-war and post-war years. All aspects of Piper's work during the fories are examined, including theatre designs, architectural paintings, the Recording Britain project, his work as a war artist, neo-Romanticism, and Welsh landscape painting towards the end of the decade. In addition, the book features Piper's writings and criticism, his designs for film posters and book jackets, photographs, exhibition catalogues, sketchbooks and manuscript letters.

Genres: Art

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[PJ Ebbrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a neo-romantic fan and this is a wonderful catalogue of work by John Piper.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely splendid book ... an homage to John Piper, selected as an official war artist during World War II and given the assignment of bombed out buildings ... his images of Coventry Cathedral are haunting ... his neo-romantic, architectonic paintings are lush and singular ... the introductory essays are illuminating, and the color plates are spectacular ...