Laurence Stephen Lowry
Laurence Stephen Lowry, commonly known as L.S. Lowry, was an English artist who is known for his distinctive style of painting and drawing, which primarily depicted industrial landscapes and urban life in northern England, particularly Pendlebury, Greater Manchester, and Salford.
MAN LYING ON A WALL (1957) Offset lithograph, 40.5 x 50.5cm.
Bought for £4,000, Jan 2018 at Lawrences Auctioneers, Crewkerne
Lowry's artwork often featured scenes of working-class life, including industrial buildings, terraced houses, factories, and stick-like figures of people. His works are characterized by a limited colour palette, simplified forms, and unique perspectives, which he used to portray the everyday life of the working class in the mid-20th century.
BERWICK ON TWEED ,Offset lithograph, 1973, 53 x 42.5cm.
Bought for £8,500, Oct 2021 at Lawrences Auctioneers, Crewkerne
Despite facing initial criticism and lack of commercial success during his lifetime, Lowry's artwork has gained widespread recognition and popularity over the years. His works have been exhibited in major art galleries and museums in the UK and internationally, and he is considered one of the most important British artists of the 20th century.
The Lowry, a purpose-built art gallery on Salford Quays, houses a significant collection of his work, and a major retrospective of his works was held at Tate Britain in London in 2013. In 2014, his first solo exhibition outside the UK was held in Nanjing, China, further showcasing his international appeal and influence as an artist.