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Lot Essay
Ostia was the port of ancient Rome and is now a major archaeological site. Piper, with his passionate interest in buildings and architecture, was fascinated by the ruins of Ostia Antica and made a number of studies there, including this charming sketchbook drawing. Piper and his wife spent a three-week working visit to Rome in February - March 1961, funded by the Arthur Jefress Gallery, in the hope that John would repeat the success he had had with Venice. But he didn’t manage to engage with the city as he had with Venice, and although he made both oils and drawings of Ostia, and Rome itself, neither place was as dear to his heart as Venice. Nevertheless, something of the limpid grey light that attended his visit can be seen in this drawing, contrasting effectively with the pinky-red of the Roman bricks.
A.L.