John Piper - Coventry Baptistry Window

Coventry Baptistry Window goldmark

John Piper’s Baptistry Window for Coventry Cathedral (1959-62) John Piper produced an evocative painting of the ruins of Coventry Cathedral shortly after it was largely destroyed by bombs on 14th November 1940 and it was highly appropriate that he was one of several major artists to participate in the building of the new cathedral.

The architect, Sir Basil Spence, had seen Piper’s first stained glass commission for the chapel at Oundle School in Northamptonshire and that persuaded him to ask Piper to design the Baptistry Window at Coventry.

The window is both majestic and colossal, measuring 85 feet (22m) in height and 56 feet (18m) in width and comprising approximately 198 lights of stained glass divided by stone mullions.

After much thought Piper decided that the window design would have to be largely abstract as the use of figures would lack cohesion because of the vast chequered pattern of the stonework. In order to unify the numerous window lights he designed an overall pattern of colour symbolizing the theme of the Light of the Holy Spirit.

Cartoons for the Baptistry Window By the end of November 1957 Piper had produced a sketch for his overall design which was approved by the cathedral’s Reconstruction Committee. He then proceeded to make full-size cartoons for most of the window panels. It is four of these unique and original cartoons which we are able to offer for sale.

In making the cartoons Piper constantly referred to his original sketch and a large scale model of the window to ensure the colour gradations were precisely as he wanted them. The cartoons were then sent to the stained glass maker Patrick Reyntiens to convert them into the panels which eventually formed the Baptistry Window.

mixed media & collage, 127 x 53 cm initialled (except B57)

â„Ą 01572 821424 prices include frame, vat and uk delivery

B45. £9750

B57. £9750

B33. £7750

B20. £9750

View of the Baptistry Window at Coventry Cathedral

visit johnpiperprints.com and view our short film on the Baptistry Window

Goldmark Gallery Uppingham Rutland LE15 9SQ 01572 821424 Open Monday to Saturday 9.30-5.30, Sunday 2.30-5.30 and Bank Holidays www.goldmarkart.com info@goldmarkart.com