Live Auction 763720th Century British Art
Laurence Stephen Lowry, R.A. (1887-1976)
Lot 121

Laurence Stephen Lowry, R.A. (1887-1976)

Man Going to Work (Figure in a Gateway)

Closed12 December 2008

Price Realised

GBP 97,250

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Laurence Stephen Lowry, R.A. (1887-1976)
Man Going to Work (Figure in a Gateway)
signed and dated 'L.S. LOWRY 1960' (lower right)
oil on canvas
11½ x 15¾ in. (29.2 x 40 cm.)

with Investart Ltd., London, where purchased by the present owner in November 1989.

Specialist note


The gateway represents an important aspect of Lowry's urban landscape and this particular image was a specific location: the Improved Industrial Dwellings, 'built in 1870 to provide reasonable housing for some of those Salfordians who were living in appalling conditions'. In comparison with Lowry's earlier sketch of 1931, The Gateway, there is a notable development from 'detailed industrial scenes to the single uncomplicated image' (see J. Sandling and M. Leber, Lowry's City, loc. cit.). The painting combines the artist's interest in this particular characteristic of the urban landscape with a simplified approach to style.