JOHN PIPER, C.H. (1903-1992)
Lot 179 PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF LORD AND LADY COTTESLOE

A lifelong supporter of the arts, The Hon. John Fremantle (4th Lord Cottesloe) collected works of the 20th century by artists including Walter Sickert, William Orpen, Augustus John, Henry Moore and John Piper. The latter two were lifelong personal friends. He also forged close friendships with several leading lights of the stage, including Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. In 1953 he became a trustee of Tate and the following year was appointed chairman of the Advisory Council and Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art. In that same year his father died, meaning he inherited the title, Lord Cottesloe. From 1960-65 he was chairman of the Arts Council, during which time he conceived, with Olivier, his great passion project: to build a National Theatre on London’s South Bank. As chairman of the National Theatre board, he steered the development for fourteen years and finally, in 1976, it was opened by Queen Elizabeth II. One of its three theatres was named in his honour.

JOHN PIPER, C.H. (1903-1992)

Ca' d'Oro, Venice

Closed22 March 2023

Price Realised

GBP 13,860

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JOHN PIPER, C.H. (1903-1992)
Ca' d'Oro, Venice
signed 'John Piper' (lower right)
ink, watercolour, pastel and gouache on paper
10 3/4 x 15 in. (27.3 x 38.2 cm.)
Executed circa 1959.

Purchased by The Hon. John Fremantle (Lord Cottesloe) at the 1960 exhibition.

Specialist note

We are very grateful to Rev. Dr Stephen Laird F.S.A. for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.