Lost Masterpiece by John Piper Fetches $401,000 at Auction

Painting, 1936 (Forms on Dark Blue), John Piper

A long-lost six-foot abstract painting by renowned British artist John Piper (1903-1992) has surfaced, drawing significant attention at Bonhams Modern British & Irish Art sale on 19 June at Bonhams New Bond Street, London. The painting, titled Painting, 1936 (Forms on Dark Blue), had been part of a prestigious family collection since its creation and had never been offered at auction.

Its reappearance and subsequent sale for £317,900 ($401,000) marked a highlight of the auction, which saw substantial interest from collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

Ingram Reid, Bonhams’ Head of Sale, expressed his delight at the successful auction, particularly highlighting the significance of Piper’s painting. “The six-foot canvas of John Piper’s Painting, 1936 (Forms on Dark Blue) was among British art’s most ambitious paintings of the 1930s, both in conception and legacy,” Reid remarked. “Paintings from Piper’s lauded abstract period are extremely rare, and we’re very pleased that this work has now found a new home.”

John Piper, known for his versatility and significant contributions to British modernism, had a varied career that spanned painting, printmaking, and designing stained glass windows. His abstract works from the 1930s are particularly celebrated, making the auction of Painting, 1936 (Forms on Dark Blue) a momentous event in the art world. The painting’s vibrant forms set against a dark blue background exemplify Piper’s innovative approach and have captivated art historians and collectors.

Its reappearance and subsequent sale for £317,900 ($401,000) marked a highlight of the auction, which saw substantial interest from collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

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