A versatile painter depicting churches, other architectural structures, and fauve-like abstract landscapes, John Piper was also a theatre set designer, and writer. With his wife, painter Myfanwy Piper, he founded Axis, a contemporary art journal.

Piper lived much of his adult life at Fawley Bottom near Henley-on-Thames, but had an active career beyond his residence. He did set designs in London for the Royal Opera House's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream by Benjamin Britten, and for operas by Alun Hoddinott. He designed stained-glass windows for many churches including Coventry Cathedral, and tapestries for Chicester and Hereford Cathedrals.

John Piper was born and raised at Epsom,...