
Baptistry window at Coventry cathedral
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V70PDB
N 52° 24.496 W 001° 30.403
30U E 601576 N 5807497
Quick Description: Baptistry window in Coventry Cathedral
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 8/12/2007 5:36:03 AM
Waymark Code: WM1ZZ7
Views: 188
Long Description:The window was designed by John Piper. It was completed in 1962.
John Egerton Christmas Piper was born in Epsom Surrey, on
December 13 1903. The youngest of three sons, Piper showed a
keenness for art at an early age & a particular interest in
landscape & architecture. On leaving school his desire to be a
painter was hampered by an obligation to work as a clerk at his
father's firm of solicitors. Following his father's death in 1926
he was free to follow his vocation. He entered the Richmond School
of Art & a year later the Royal College of Art. In 1929 he left
to marry fellow student, Eileen Holding. The early 30's saw him
forming friendships with such artists as Henry Moore, Ivon
Hitchens, Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth & Paul Nash. He
exhibited regularly with the London Group & the 7 & 5
Society & was also writing articles for various periodicals
& magazines. In the summer of 1934 after meeting the art writer
Myfanwy Evans (who he later married in 1937) set up their own
magazine 'Axis'. At this time he also collaborated with his poet
friend John Betjeman on the famous Shell Guides. During the war he
was commissioned to record bomb damage, most notably London,
Bristol & Coventry & in 1944 he was made an official war
artist.
As well as his huge output of abstract work he is also best
remembered for his paintings of churches, castles & stately
homes. He was also an author of books, prolific photographer,
etcher, printmaker, designer of scenery & costumes for opera,
ballet & theatre, created murals, stained glass for schools,
colleges, churches & cathedrals as well as designs for
tapestries & fabrics & in later years began making
ceramics.
An operation in 1987 left him visibly damaged, he was also
suffering from the onset of Alzheimers.
He died at his home in Fawley Bottom, Oxfordshire on the 28th of
June 1992.
From the John piper web site...
(visit link)
Visit Instructions:GPS coordinates as close to the stained glass window as possible. A
picture of entire window.
Windows must be stained glass and permanently affixed to a
building of some sort (no color catchers or moveable or detached
stained glass). Tell the story behind the window, the artist if
known, the type of building where it is located and when the window
was created.