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Product Description
Review
a fascinating read (The Artist )
Spalding's work draws on much original research (Leisure Painter )
Spalding's work draws on much original research (Leisure Painter )
Review
a fascinating read The Artist Spalding's work draws on much original research Leisure Painter
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The 'Product Description' above says it all. Frances Spalding's book is, quite simply, superb. From start to finish.
To begin with, she writes brilliantly, with an excellent and lively style, and an obvious affection for her subject that keeps the reader turning the pages - keen to know what comes next.
And it's quite a story. The names and faces that weave in and out of the pages of this sumptuous volume are like a 'Who's Who' of the British Arts in all their shapes and sizes, and at their very best. John Piper's life was the broadest canvas, encompassing painting, pottery, architecture, sculpture, weaving, music, photography, stage design - and it's also one of the joys of this biography that his multi-talented wife, the "golden Myfanwy" of John Betjeman's poems, is given full acknowledgement as a creative artist in her own right. They were quite a couple.
To anyone even vaguely interested in Frances Spalding's subject, you cannot go wrong with this book - and for the price (as published, or the many variables on Amazon) it's a gift. Well worth having, and a fascinating and edifying read from cover to cover, with magnificent illustrations that do full justice to their originals.
We should be grateful to everyone who had a hand in its production. This is a worthy monument to both Pipers - a monument that's built to last.
To begin with, she writes brilliantly, with an excellent and lively style, and an obvious affection for her subject that keeps the reader turning the pages - keen to know what comes next.
And it's quite a story. The names and faces that weave in and out of the pages of this sumptuous volume are like a 'Who's Who' of the British Arts in all their shapes and sizes, and at their very best. John Piper's life was the broadest canvas, encompassing painting, pottery, architecture, sculpture, weaving, music, photography, stage design - and it's also one of the joys of this biography that his multi-talented wife, the "golden Myfanwy" of John Betjeman's poems, is given full acknowledgement as a creative artist in her own right. They were quite a couple.
To anyone even vaguely interested in Frances Spalding's subject, you cannot go wrong with this book - and for the price (as published, or the many variables on Amazon) it's a gift. Well worth having, and a fascinating and edifying read from cover to cover, with magnificent illustrations that do full justice to their originals.
We should be grateful to everyone who had a hand in its production. This is a worthy monument to both Pipers - a monument that's built to last.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Probably the best produced book I've had in my hands for a long time - absolutely beautiful. Not one for reading in bed - it weighs a ton and hurts when you fall asleep and drop it on your face - but a solid, well researched account of the Pipers and their varying circle. The writing is clear and precise, although the tendency to deal with parts of the story just out of the normal chronological order, especially in the 1935 - 1945 period, can be slightly confusing. Don't let this put you off, though: Ms Spalding will hold your interest.
But by the end you may have formed the same opinion as I did - the Pipers in later life, especially John, wouldn't have been much fun to be around. This seems odd because the testimony of their friends would suggest the opposite. But there's a puritanical earnestness about the lives and the work which I started to find wearying. They became members of "the great and the good" very readily, and seemed to relish it. By the end you wanted a bit of Van Gogh instability, or Dali-esque humour - anything to chip away at the po-faced quality of Piper's reverence for his own Art. This is probably grossly unfair, but I was left with confused feelings about the Pipers and their place in the story of English Art. There was a lot of other great stuff going on in the Art World while John Piper was painting his churches and stately homes, but it didn't seem to impinge much on him. I was left with the impression that I had been meandering down an interesting byway while the main traffic was thundering past just over the horizon.
But by the end you may have formed the same opinion as I did - the Pipers in later life, especially John, wouldn't have been much fun to be around. This seems odd because the testimony of their friends would suggest the opposite. But there's a puritanical earnestness about the lives and the work which I started to find wearying. They became members of "the great and the good" very readily, and seemed to relish it. By the end you wanted a bit of Van Gogh instability, or Dali-esque humour - anything to chip away at the po-faced quality of Piper's reverence for his own Art. This is probably grossly unfair, but I was left with confused feelings about the Pipers and their place in the story of English Art. There was a lot of other great stuff going on in the Art World while John Piper was painting his churches and stately homes, but it didn't seem to impinge much on him. I was left with the impression that I had been meandering down an interesting byway while the main traffic was thundering past just over the horizon.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a very scholarly account of the lives of two extraordinary people. Whilst much of the text refers to John and his amazingly varied and voluminous output across a very wide range of creative endeavours tne intellectual as well as the domestic support which Myfanwy supplies thoughout their long and productive lives is made very clear. The ambience, joy and richness of their life at Fawley Bottom, witnessed and enjoyed by so many people who were welcomed into this idyll is brought wonderfully to life, despite the early vicissitudes of a spartan existence. I admit that John Piper is my favourite artist and I have been quite moved by his/their dedication to his chosen life.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
wonderful read
This is the best book I have ever read about artistic people. It gives all the facts in such a readable fashion. I unhesitatingly reccomend this to everyone
Published 3 months ago by Raymond Ovens
John Piper, Myfanwy Piper: Lives in Art
I have virtually no criticism of this book, which presents an excellent balance between the life and work of this couple. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ironia
2 Pipers for one
A well produced and comprehensive survey of the work of both John and Myfanwy Piper. A lovely book to have and reflect on.
Published on 7 Jan 2010 by M. Plaskow
lives in art
This glorious book achieves what the title says: these are lives in art in very great detail.
Unless you are an art scholar (and will no doubt find fault somewhere)the book is... Read more
Unless you are an art scholar (and will no doubt find fault somewhere)the book is... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2009 by Ms. Audrey A. Gates
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