Abstract Composition 1936. by John Piper, 1903-1993

John Piper, 1903-1993
Scroll down for information.
Click here to return to the list.

Abstract Composition 1936.

Original lithograph in colours. 1936. Signed in pencil (on an applied tab, as originally sold). Only a few impressions were pencil signed. Drawn for the series: Contemporary Lithographs. First exhibited 1938. Drawn and printed at the Curwen Studio, 1936. Rare.
Note: The edition was intended as about 250 impressions, but many less were in fact printed.
Ref: Levinson - John Piper Prints no 7

Excellent impression with very strong colours. On pale cream light wove paper. Excellent condition; the faintest trace of time discolouration at the sheet edges. Trimmed to the image size, as were many impressions sold framed at the time. Sheet: 23 7/8 x 17 3/4 ins (606x450mm)

This item is sold.
Click here to enquire about this item.

'Composition 1936' is a rare and important example of Piper's contribution to British abstract art in the 1930's. This is almost his only print in this vein.

John Piper was a central figure in British 20th century art throughout almost all of his life. Best known for his continuation of the theme in British painting which links romanticism to an interpretation of architecture (see 'Sunflowers at Marignac' opposite) he was also a crucial figure in the development of English abstract painting in the 1930's.

After his studies at the Royal College Piper turned towards French painting for inspiration. He went to Paris at the beginning of the 1930's and became friends with Arp and Giacometti as well as with Braque. On his return he began to investigate abstract compositional ideas and in 1933 he joined Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepwoth, Henry Moore and Ivon Hitchens in the '7 and 5 Society' a association of painters and sculptors which by this date under Ben Nicholson's leadership had become the driving force in British abstract art. In 1935 they held the first purely abstract art exhibition in Britain, and some of the most adventurous and groundbreaking pictures were contributed by Piper. The lithograph above, amongst his very few prints of this period, shows the extent to which he had developed ideas of abstract form and space first absorbed in Paris just some four years earlier.

'Composition 1936' was drawn for the Contemporary Lithographs series. This attempt to revive the art of the lithograph - and to make original works of art which could be afforded by schools in the place of traditional reproductions- was led by Piper and Robert Wellington. After two exhibitions at the end of the 1930's it failed largely because of the War. The editions of the prints were mostly incomplete. For notes on the edition of Composition 1936 see above and below.

Note: Impressions which were sold framed from the original exhibition were frequently cut-down to the image as here. This was felt at the time to make them seem more "picture-like". If signed the signatures were also often on "stuck-on" tabs, as here, rather than directly on the sheet.