PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF KATHARINE 'KITTY' CHURCH (LOTS 15-42)
JOHN PIPER, C.H. (1903-1992)
Bécheresse
signed, titled and dated Bécheresse 10 10 67/John Piper (lower right)
pastel, ink, watercolour and gouache
40 x 56 cm (15 3/4 x 22 in)

Bécheresse lies to the south-west of Angoulême in the Charente, France. Church visited France on several occasions, twice with John Piper in 1936 and 1938 when they painted in Varengeville-sur-Mer and also with her husband Anthony West, architects James Richards, Christopher (Kit) Nicholson and artist E.Q. Nicholson. There is no evidence that Kitty was present when the present lot was painted, but it is likely it was a present from the artist from one of their visits. (See: J. Duncalfe, Katharine Church: A life in colour, The later years, Harrogate, 2015, pp. 122-124)