A rare early work by LS Lowry is coming to auction for the first time since its creation, offering a unique glimpse into the artist’s development and signature style.
When LS Lowry sold one of his earliest paintings to the literary editor of the Manchester Guardian in 1926, he had an immediate change of heart. The painting, titled ‘Going to the Mill,’ was part of a civic week organized by Manchester city council in October 1926, and featured three paintings by the then-struggling artist.
LS Lowry was a British artist known for his matchstick men paintings.
Born in 1887, he grew up in Manchester's industrial areas, which influenced his artwork.
Lowry's unique style used simple lines and minimal colors to depict everyday life.
His most famous works include 'The Organ Grinder' and 'Coming from the Mill.' Lowry's art often captured the bleakness of urban life but also had a sense of humanity.
He passed away in 1976, leaving behind a legacy as one of Britain's most beloved artists.
Arthur Wallace, the literary editor who bought the painting for £10, had fallen for Lowry’s sooty panoramas of factory-bound crowds. The exchange was generous, with Lowry offering to give Wallace another painting as well. This rare early work is now coming to auction for the first time since that eventful day, after the Wallace family decided to part with it.
The Evolution of Lowry’s Signature Style
Lowry's signature style is a distinctive blend of realism and expressionism.
His paintings often feature muted colors, heavy brushstrokes, and an emphasis on texture.
The artist typically depicted urban landscapes and working-class life in his work.
Notable examples include 'Going to the Casbah' (1950) and 'A Real Little Wonder' (1948).
Lowry's use of bold lines and flat perspectives adds a sense of dynamism to his compositions, while also conveying a sense of melancholy and social commentary.
Simon Hucker, a fine art specialist at Lyon & Turnbull, where the painting will be sold, notes that ‘Going to the Mill’ showcases the development of Lowry’s signature style. The painting features a preliminary depiction of what would become Lowry’s classic subject, with a sweeping movement of the crowd and a great mass of people. However, upon closer examination, one discovers that each figure is an individual, not just a caricature.
Lowry is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English words 'lōr' and 'wīg,' meaning 'army leader.' The name has been associated with several historical figures, including Adam Lowry, an 18th-century Irish politician.
In the United States, the name gained popularity in the late 19th century, particularly among settlers in the Midwest.
Today, Lowry remains a common surname, found in many countries around the world.
The work demonstrates Lowry‘s ability to convey complex stories through simple brushstrokes. Hucker highlights that this idea of Lowry as a naive painter who cannot paint better is far from the truth. The artist was actually a sophisticated impressionist who could capture the essence of his subjects with remarkable skill.
A Unique Opportunity
What makes ‘Going to the Mill’ even more rare is that it has had only one owner, Arthur Wallace. A work of similar size and date sold from HSBC’s collection last year went for £1.2m, with an estimated value for this painting ranging from £700,000 to £1m.
As a child, Keith Wallace, Arthur‘s grandson, would often see the painting in his family’s dining room, where it had been displayed since 1926. The family eventually arranged a long-term loan to the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, allowing the public to view the painting for the first time in over 80 years.
The sale of ‘Going to the Mill’ offers a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors to experience an early work by one of Britain’s most beloved artists.
