John Piper (1903-1992) has works gracing many art galleries and museums. The Tate alone holds no less than 180 of his works. He was a painter, printer and designer of stained glass and most of his works are representative of the British landscape or churches.

Southampton City Art Gallery holds a truly exquisite painting of Venice, though, which I saw yesterday and is my Painting of the Month for October. It is currently part of an exhibition celebrating the life and works of the Art dealer, Arthur Jeffress

The painting is semi abstract and combines glazed, almost water colour themes and patterns, combined with the strong venetian gothic architectural motifs. The Ca’ D’Oro, (called the Golden House because of the gold that once adorned the walls) was built around 1430 on the Grand Canal. It is now an art gallery housing the collection of works of art collected by Giorgio Franchetti in his life.

These beautiful floral gothic buildings remind me of the three months we stayed in Venice from October 2019, while I studied History of Art with Warwick University at Ca’ Foscari. We met some great friends there, both students and staff and cannot wait to return soon.

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A Complete Portrait of Arthur Jeffress is at Southampton City Art Gallery until January 22nd 2022.