Lowry’s painting “Old Buildings, Edinburgh” has sold at auction for £200,000. This 1937 artwork, believed to depict the Royal Mile with Arthur’s Seat in the background and a middle building created from pure imagination, is Lowry’s only known painting of Edinburgh.
The oil on canvas, signed and dated 1937, measures 53.3 x 43.2 cm. This artwork is one of Lowry’s few depictions of the Scottish capital, making it highly sought after among collectors.
Ingram Reid, Bonhams’ Head of Sale for Modern British and Irish Art, commented:
“Lowry would have been on a visit to Edinburgh, quite possibly to see some of his own works hanging at the Royal Scottish Academy. He would observe with a sketchbook and these sketches would be worked up back in his studio in Manchester. Lowry had a fondness for Scotland. However, this is his only known Edinburgh painting. We are delighted that following the work being exhibited in both Bonhams Edinburgh and London to the delight of many admirers, the work sold to a private UK buyer.”
This sale underscores the continued strong market for Lowry’s distinctive urban scenes, further establishing his legacy in the art world. The auction, held at Bonhams’ New Bond Street location, attracted significant attention from collectors and art enthusiasts.
The Lowry Gallery in Salford houses the world’s largest public collection of works by L.S. Lowry. This comprehensive collection includes over 400 works, showcasing Lowry’s unique depiction of industrial life in North West England. Visitors can explore a wide range of his art, from detailed urban landscapes to poignant portraits.
One of the most famous pieces in the collection is “Going to the Match,” painted in 1953. This iconic work captures the bustling excitement of football fans heading to a game at Burnden Park, Bolton. The painting vividly illustrates Lowry’s talent for portraying the collective energy and spirit of working-class communities. It was sold for £7.85 million at auction in October 2022, setting a record for the artist.
