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

Lowry's late factory scenes from the last decade of his life combine all the basic elements from the earlier composite landscapes, but are presented in a more concentrated format. The artist referred to these late, imaginary cityscapes as his 'dreamscapes'.

The first owner of this work was Leo Soloman, principal of Rochdale College of Art from 1953-1976, and a close friend of the artist for many years from the 1950s until he died shortly after Lowry in 1976. Lowry used to visit the art students to offer advice. Leo Soloman was a talented sculptor and painter, and the author of a bronze bust of Lowry which was displayed at the Royal Academy exhibition after his death in 1976.