A painting by LS Lowry which has been in private ownership since the year of the artist’s death has gone on display at The Lowry in Salford for the very first time. 

On the Sands, Berwick (1959) was part of the famous 1976 exhibition of Lowry’s work at the Royal Academy that opened just months after his death. 

The owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, has lent the work to The Lowry for one year. This loan follows a short three month preview at the Granary Gallery in Berwick this summer.

Lowry produced at least 20 drawings and paintings of Berwick – a place he visited regularly from the 1930s up until the early 1970s. This particular work shows the town as a popular seaside resort

The pavilion at the centre of the scene fell into disrepair in the 1990s and was set for demolition by the local town council until the LS Lowry connection was raised and the decision was made, instead, to restore. The pavilion now forms part of the town’s popular Lowry Trail.

Claire Stewart, curator of The Lowry Collection, said: “After so many years on private display, it’s fitting that the work has made visits to its hometown of Berwick and Lowry’s own hometown here in Salford.

“We are grateful to the owners for loaning us the work. It will now take pride of place in our permanent exhibition – LS Lowry: The Art & The Artist – which is the largest public collection of Lowry’s work in the world.”

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