John Piper

Modern Masters Tapestries selection by Didier Marien

John Piper, one of Britain’s most influential 20th-century artists, made a significant impact through his collaborations with the prestigious Aubusson ateliers in France. Beginning in the 1950s, Piper embraced tapestry weaving, blending modernist visions with traditional French techniques. His partnership with the renowned Pinton Frères workshop in the 1960s and 70s resulted in stunning, large-scale tapestries that translated his bold lines and dynamic color palettes into the medium. At Modern Masters Tapestries, we are proud to showcase Piper’s "Floral" tapestry, a striking example of how tradition and innovation come together in contemporary tapestry art.

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John Piper Tapestries: A Modernist Vision Woven in Wool

John Piper, one of Britain’s most influential 20th-century artists, is celebrated for his diverse body of work across painting, printmaking, and stage design. However, his tapestry designs, particularly his collaborations with the prestigious Aubusson ateliers in France, are a unique and often overlooked aspect of his legacy.

Piper’s entry into the world of tapestry weaving began in the 1950s, when he became intrigued by the possibilities of the medium. A key moment came when he was invited by the celebrated Aubusson weavers to collaborate with them on large-scale projects. These ateliers were known for their mastery of traditional French tapestry techniques, but they were also open to incorporating modern artistic ideas. Piper was particularly drawn to the challenge of transforming his modernist visions into textile art.

In the 1960s and 70s, Piper began working closely with the renowned Pinton Frères workshop, a key part of the Aubusson tapestry tradition. The Pinton workshop was famous for its ability to translate complex modernist ideas into exquisite handwoven wool tapestries. Piper, who had developed a distinctive style blending abstraction, architecture, and rich color palettes, found the medium to be a natural extension of his artistic practice. His tapestry designs were marked by bold lines, expressive shapes, and a dynamic interplay of color, offering a new dimension to his creative vision.
These collaborations produced a series of stunning large-scale tapestries, where Piper’s iconic aesthetic was reinterpreted in wool. The process was meticulous, with each piece woven by hand over the course of many months, allowing Piper’s abstract designs to take on a tactile quality that cannot be achieved through other mediums.

“Floral” as a Testament to Tradition and Innovation

At Modern Masters Tapestries, we are proud to showcase John Piper’s “Floral” tapestry, a stunning example of how tradition and innovation come together in contemporary tapestry. Piper’s collaborations with the Aubusson ateliers, including the renowned Pinton workshop, have had a lasting impact on the world of tapestry. His ability to push the boundaries of the medium while honoring its traditions helped redefine tapestry as a significant art form in the 20th century. “Floral” stands as a testament to Piper’s creative vision and his lasting influence on the art of weaving.