Tetbury
"Tetbury" by John Piper exemplifies the artist's distinctive approach to British topography, combining architectural observation with abstract expressionist techniques to capture the essence of this Gloucestershire market town. Piper's characteristic use of bold, angular forms and a vibrant, sometimes discordant palette transforms the townscape into a dynamic composition that conveys both the physical structure and atmospheric quality of the location. The work reflects Piper's broader practice of reconciling modernist abstraction with representational content, a tension that became central to his influential role in twentieth century British art.
- Signed
- Yes
- Spotted At
- Auction House · Christie's
Notes
EXHIBITED London, Leicester Galleries, John Piper, November 1959. Conditions of sale Brought to you by Pippa Jacomb Director, Head of Day Sale PJACOMB@CHRISTIES.COM +44 (0) 20 7389 2293 LOT ESSAY John Piper's landscape paintings from the end of the 1950s are often highly structured, with abstracted motifs arranged within and across a 'rectilinear' armature of horizontal and vertical lines. Several of Piper's experimental designs for stained glass windows (which he was working on at the same time as the present lot), rely on a similar device for their character and impact. In 1959, the designs and the landscapes were exhibited together in the London show at the Leicester Galleries, from which the current lot was originally purchased by Professor J.R. Lander. We are very grateful to Revd Dr Stephen Laird FSA for preparing this catalogue entry.
🔨 Auction Lot
Modern British and Irish Art Day Sale
March 19, 2026
Estimate: $5,000 – $8,000
Sold: $9,525
Lot 112
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