- 62
John Piper, C.H.
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- John Piper, C.H.
- The House of Commons after Bombing
- signed
- watercolour, pastel, pencil, gouache, pen and ink
- 38 by 56.5cm.; 15 by 22¼in.
Exhibited
New York, Marlborough Fine Art, John Piper: Paintings and Watercolours, 7-29 December 1984, illustrated in the exhibition catalogue;
London, New Grafton Gallery, 1996;
London, John Martin Gallery, John Piper: Landscapes 1942-85, 8 February - 4 March 2000, no.20, illustrated in the exhibition catalogue.
Condition
The work is executed on wove paper. The work appears to be in its original condition. Under glass and held in a dark gilt wood and plaster frame with a white mount. Unexamined out of its frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The scene depicted is a version of one of Piper's most important war-time paintings showing the ruined Council Chamber of the House of Commons, which was bombed on 1 May 1941. The final painting is now in the Palace of Westminster itself, but a watercolour of the same scene, done in 1941 and in the collection of the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool was exhibited at the Tate Britain John Piper: Retrospective Exhibition in 1984, and it may have been seeing this again at the exhibition that inspired him to return to the subject. In this version, Piper simplifies the scene still further, laying greater emphasis on the solitary pillar in the foreground - interestingly, he also retains the subdued colouring that was so characteristic of his earlier version.