News Item: 00028

22nd Aug 2007

Two Lowry masterpieces at Sotheby's

Source: http://www.sothebys.co.uk

The work of Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887-1976) holds a special place in the heart of the British public and Sotheby's is thrilled to announce today that on Thursday, December 13, 2007 it will be presenting for sale two modern masterpieces by the much celebrated British master in its sale of 20th Century British Art. The two pictures - a recently discovered painting entitled A Fairground and an iconic work known as The Football Match - both rank among the most important and accomplished works by Lowry ever to have come to the market and they will be sold at a time when interest in the artist is stronger than ever.

With a combined pre-sale estimate of up to £2 million, the two pictures are instantly recognisable as Lowry compositions as they incorporate all of the signature elements of the artist's greatest works. They cast him as an observer of humanity - in all its moods. Their sale in December will follow an exhibition tour that will see the works visit Scotland, Ireland and the US.

Lowry's canvases have been at the forefront of the 20th-century British art market since the 1960s. Born in Stretford, on the outskirts of Manchester, Lowry was a curious character who was completely dedicated to his art. His drawings and paintings on the whole represent Salford and the surrounding areas - particularly Pendlebury - where Lowry lived and worked for well over 30 years. Famous for his scenes of daily life within the architectural framework of the industrial urban areas of northern England in the early part of the 20th century, his highly acclaimed canvases show chimneys, mills, church spires and back-to-back terraces alongside stylised figures and a lack of weather effects. From the earliest stages of his career, these panoramic industrial landscapes were at the heart of his work and they remain the images most frequently associated with him.

Successful throughout his lifetime, Lowry was elected an R.A., his works were widely exhibited throughout Britain and he was appointed the official artist at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Furthermore, a stamp of one of his paintings was produced by the General Post Office and he was presented with an O.B.E., a C.B.E., a C.H. and a knighthood, all of which he refused.