Autograph Memorandum by the artist John Piper, describing how Vollard's biography of Cézanne inspired him when he read it as a teenager.

Author: 
John Piper (1903-1992), English painter [Ambroise Vollard (1866-1939), art dealer and connoisseur; Paul Cézanne (1839-1906)]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Fawley Bottom Farmhouse near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Undated.
£230.00
SKU: 13548

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Clearly responding to an enquiry regarding what books had had a formative influence on his life, Piper writes: 'Vollard's Life of Cézanne, because it showed me, in my teens, that an artist can be dedicated, unbohemian, unworldly, against the tide and absolutely true to his instincts, which happened to be right. The book - by a dealer, too! - has the same characteristics.' Beneath this the name 'JOHN PIPER' is written in capitals in felt-tip pen, but this does not appear to be Piper's signature, and is in a diffferent hand to the memorandum, which is certainly by Piper, and appears to be unpublished.