Lawrence Stephen Lowry
Artist Biography
Laurence Stephen Lowry was born in Manchester in 1887 and was the only child of Robert and Elizabeth Lowry. He started drawing at the age of eight and in 1903 he began private painting classes which marked the start of a part-time education in art that was to continue for twenty years. The Lowry's moved to Pendlebury in Salford in 1909, where the artist was to live for nearly 40 years. During this time he attended art classes at Salford School of Art, developing an interest in the urban and industrial landscape. He exhibited with the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts from 1919, as well as entering paintings in the Paris Salon.
By the early 1930s he was exhibiting at the Royal Academy in London. He was awarded an honorary MA at Manchester University in 1945. Doctor of Letters in 1961. Elected to the Royal Academy in 1962, and given freedom of the City of Salford in 1965.
He lived in Mottram until he died in 1976 – a death marked by unprecedented homage by the ‘ordinary people’ of Manchester.
L S Lowry is unquestionably one of the most celebrated British artists and his unique contribution to recording the period. Culture and landscape of industrial Salford and Manchester is without parallel. His work is a most distinctive and comprehensive record of the pre and post World War Two northern industrial town.
By the early 1930s he was exhibiting at the Royal Academy in London. He was awarded an honorary MA at Manchester University in 1945. Doctor of Letters in 1961. Elected to the Royal Academy in 1962, and given freedom of the City of Salford in 1965.
He lived in Mottram until he died in 1976 – a death marked by unprecedented homage by the ‘ordinary people’ of Manchester.
L S Lowry is unquestionably one of the most celebrated British artists and his unique contribution to recording the period. Culture and landscape of industrial Salford and Manchester is without parallel. His work is a most distinctive and comprehensive record of the pre and post World War Two northern industrial town.
