Laurence Stephen Lowry, R.A.

The Lefevre Gallery, London
Alec Guinness
Laurie Evans
Rex Evans
Given as a gift to James Weatherford and thence by descent to the present owner

The panel is in good original condition. The paint surface is in good overall condition. There is no sign of retouching under ultra-violet light. Held in a painted composition frame with a canvas slip. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5381 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Lonely and deserted buildings were always motifs that attracted Lowry and in the latter part of his career paintings and drawings of such subjects became more prevalent. However they were relatively little known until 1968 when the Crane Kalman Gallery held an exhibition entitled The Loneliness of L.S.Lowry. At this show many collectors saw for the first time a large number of the single figure, empty landscape, seascape and outcast subjects that were of such importance to the artist.

Recent scholarship has found within these works a strong sense of the autobiographical and the sense of these marooned motifs, cut adrift from their surroundings is very strong. In the present work, the image of the ruined tower standing alone on an outcrop of land to which we have no obvious access is most poignant.