This book re-examines the work of John Piper who, as well as being a prominent painter, printmaker and photographer, was an active figure in many cultural spheres during the 1940s when the foundations of his reputation were laid.The book brings together work that was officially commissioned during the Second World War and contextualises it with work from the pre-war and post-war years. All aspects of Piper's work during the fories are examined, including theatre designs, architectural paintings, the Recording Britain project, his work as a war artist, neo-Romanticism, and Welsh landscape painting towards the end of the decade. In addition, the book features Piper's writings and criticism, his designs for film posters and book jackets, photographs, exhibition catalogues, sketchbooks and manuscript letters.