A Lowry Painting Acquired for a Pound Sells for Seven Figures

A Rare Lowry Painting Sells for Over £800,000

Going to the Mill, a painting by LS Lowry, was bought by Arthur Wallace, the literary editor of the Manchester Guardian, for £10 in 1926. The artwork has remained in the same family ever since and was recently sold at auction at the Mall Galleries in central London for £805,200.

A Rare Glimpse into Lowry’s Early Career

Lowry, who was lauded for his portrayal of everyday industrial scenes in north-west England, painted Going to the Mill in 1925. The painting is believed to be one of the earliest sales made by the Stretford-born painter. It is also notable for being a rare example of Lowry‘s work that has remained in private ownership for so long.

The painting was featured in an accompanying exhibition at a Manchester department store, where Wallace – who had fallen for his sooty panoramas of factory-bound crowds – offered to buy one. The artist reportedly said, ‘Could we say £10?‘ and Wallace wrote a cheque, eventually receiving two paintings for the price.

A Masterpiece of 1920s Lowry

Going to the Mill is considered an exceptional painting that showcases Lowry‘s conceptual skills. It is a rare example of his work from this period, when he became a unique voice in British art. The painting is notable for its formal choices and abstracted figure, which express an idea about loneliness and isolation within the teeming city.

Simon Hucker, a modern and contemporary art specialist at the Lyon & Turnbull auction house, described the sale as ‘absolutely delighted’ by the price achieved. He praised Lowry‘s skill, stating that he is an artist of true dexterity who makes deliberate formal choices to express his ideas.

The painting has been on long-term loan to Pallant House Gallery in Chichester and its recent sale marks a significant milestone in its history. With this sale, it is clear that Going to the Mill will continue to be celebrated as one of Lowry‘s most valuable works.