John Piper

1903 - 1992

John Piper was born in Epsom, Surrey. After spending 5 years in the family law firm he decided to pursue a career in art and entered Richmond School of Art followed by the Royal College of Art. He worked as a painter, printmaker and designer of stained-glass windows and both opera and theatre sets. His work often focused on the British landscape, especially churches, monuments and country houses. An official war artist during World War II, he often depicted bomb-damaged churches and landmarks and is especially known for his records of Coventry Cathedral following the air raid of 1940.