John Piper

"At the outbreak of the Second World War, Piper was commissioned by the 'war artists' scheme' to capture the affects of the war on the British landscape. The devastation of the Blitz was easily assimilated to Piper's personal interest in old ruined buildings. He had also lost his eldest brother in the First World War which may have made the commission particularly poignant and enabled him to respond with his deepest emotion. During these years he travelled the country, capturing the atmosphere of places. These scenes do not always directly relate to bomb-damage but reflect, in Piper's unique way, a sense of loss and nostalgia. In 1944 he was appointed Official War Artist."

extract is taken from the Biography from the link below

http://www.portlandgallery.com/artist/John_Piper/bio

This information has fuelled me to research this artist more as it is one of the first Official War Artists I have come across who was based on the home front, concentrating on the impact on the British landscape.