L S Lowry (1887-1976)

Britain’s pre-eminent painter of the industrial city. 

Lowry was a highly individual artist with a unique style; his work spans the first half of the twentieth century and records with sensitivity and wit his own personal view of the people and architecture of Northern Britain. Our collection of highly sought after original work and rare signed editions represents a superb opportunity for investors, collectors or first time buyers acquire a piece of our heritage from a 20th century master. 

In the last twenty years Lowry has become one of Britain’s most highly prized artists. While in 1999 the highest price for one of his paintings had been £1.9 million, the most recent public valuation was between £6 million and £10 million. 

Lowry was born in Old Trafford, Manchester in 1887. He moved to Pendlebury in Salford with his parents in 1909, where he was to live for nearly 40 years. He joined Salford School of Art for evening classes in 1915, which is where his work on the ‘matchstick’ figures developed.

He took a job with a property company in Manchester as a rent collector, and stayed with them for the next 42 years. He spent much of his working life walking the poorest streets of Manchester and its surrounding area, and this is where his vision formed. Lowry first exhibited in 1919 at Manchester Art Gallery. By 1945 Lowry had had 3 exhibitions and was starting to establish himself. By the 1950s the Royal Academy had invited him to join and his fame and success were assured. 

Lowry died in Derbyshire in 1976. During his life he had painted and drawn some 2000-3000 pieces. Harold Wilson had offered him a knighthood and he had been accorded many honours including an honorary MA at Manchester University in 1945, Doctor of Letters in 1961, and elected to the Royal Academy in 1962.