A Lowry Street scene is up for auction in London this week and could fetch over £1.2m pounds
Dating from 1941, the painting according to the Bonhams hails from what is traditionally considered Lowry’s finest period and bears all the qualities of his most desirable work.
At the time Lowry was living at 117 Station Road, Pendlebury
The street runs through the centre of the busy composition giving a strong sense of perspective, order and space. The terraced housing, shops and movement of the people in the foreground creates an almost tranquil atmosphere as the street winds down towards the central gates, symbolic of the industry and work that lies beyond to support this community. Factory chimneys, a church spire and mill are all present and complete a series of rich iconography.
By cutting off the buildings at the canvas edges, Lowry reinforces a sense of space and continuity, as well as placing himself and us the viewer as close as possible to the street. This is purely for visual impact as Lowry, an intensely private man and quiet observer, was not inclined to mingle with the crowd or participate in the daily routine. The artist conveys so much with so little. Using just five colours – flake white, vermilion, Prussian blue, black and yellow ochre, he memorably evokes the bustling atmosphere of a street and its surroundings.
