Contemporary Six are proud to have sold a number of high quality paintings and drawings by sought after Mancunian artist, L.S. Lowry.
Due to this, we are now offering art consultancy, specialising with sourcing works. We will take the time to work with you in finding the perfect piece with no pressure or obligation. We build lasting relationships with our clients ensuring they have a relaxed experience and return to us for advice. Our wide network of trusted partners mean that we can offer sought after, quality work at competitive prices.
If you are looking for a piece by Lowry, please do contact us directly to discuss further.
L.S. Lowry, born on November 1, 1887, in Stretford, Lancashire, England, is renowned for his distinctive urban landscapes depicting northern England's industrial scenes. His art features "matchstick men" against backdrops of factories and terraced houses, capturing the essence of the industrial era with simplicity and depth.
Lowry began his artistic journey at the Manchester School of Art under Adolphe Valette but developed a unique style diverging from traditional methods. Using a limited palette of black, white, and grey, he created moody atmospheres, often layering paint for textured effects that mirrored industrial grime.
"Coming from the Mill" (1930) exemplifies his meticulous approach, depicting factory workers leaving amidst a bustling yet monotonous industrial life. "The Football Match" (1949) portrays the vibrant communal life of working-class England.Lowry's process was meticulous; he sketched on-site and painted from memory, giving his works emotional depth. "The Pond" (1950) blends realism with personal vision, depicting a surreal industrial landscape. ‘This is a composite picture built up from a blank canvas. I hadn't the slightest idea of what I was going to put in the canvas when I started the picture but it eventually came out as you see it. This is the way I like working best’ (letter from the artist, 21 January 1956).
Though a rent collector by day, Lowry persisted in art, gaining recognition in the late 1950s and becoming a Royal Academician in 1962. His legacy lives on through The Lowry museum in Salford Quays, which houses his extensive collection.
Lowry was awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree by the University of Manchester in 1945, and Doctor of Letters in 1961. In April 1955 Lowry was elected as an Associate Member of the Royal Academy of Arts and in April 1962 became a full Royal Academician. At the end of December of the same year his membership status evolved to that of Senior Academician having reached the age of 75. He was given the freedom of the city of Salford in 1965.
The Hallé orchestra performed a concert in his honour and Prime Minister Harold Wilson used Lowry's painting 'The Pond' as his official Christmas card. Lowry twice declined appointment to the Order of the British Empire: as an Officer (OBE) in 1955, and as a Commander (CBE) in 1961. He turned down a knighthood in 1968.
Lowry passed away on February 23, 1976, leaving behind a legacy that resonates with the human condition of 20th-century Britain, securing his place as a significant British artist. In 2013 a retrospective was held at the Tate Britain in London, his first there.
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