What's this L S Lowry?
Continuing my series of art critiques, I would like to introduce you to L S Lowry, an English painter who lived from 1887 to 1976.
Laurence Stephen "L.S." Lowry was born in Stretford, Lancashire, in the North of England and many of his paintings depict scenes from Pendlebury, Salford and surrounding areas. His paintings were usually of urban landscapes and he painted human figures in a simplified way which was referred to as "matchstick men."
The scene you see above is of the Northern town of Huddersfield which was painted in 1965.
Those of you who have read my book "VISIONS", and my other books and stories about Father Ignatius, will know that they are set in an un-named Northern town in England in the 1950's and 60's. The scene above is the sort of view one would imagine Father Ignatius would have from his office window high up in St Vincent Parish House.
You can see the hills fare away, often covered with snow in winter; the small terraced houses huddled together, sharing whatever warmth they have between them, and hiding behind the large tenements providing shelter from the Northern winds blowing down the hills; with people rushing to their homes or places of work as the acrid smelling smoke from those factory chimneys fill the gloomy skies.
In 1932 Lowry's father died leaving the family with debts, whilst his mother became ill and bedridden, relying on her son for care.Lowry often painted well into the night after his mother had fallen asleep.
He regretted that he had not received recognition as an artist until the year his mother died and that she was not able to enjoy his success.
Two years after his death, a famous song about Lowry by "Brian and Michael" topped the UK charts in 1978. I post a video below which shows a number of Lowry paintings and, in case you have difficulties with the accent, I also post the lyrics to the song for you to enjoy.
If you watch carefully, at about 3 minutes 30 seconds of the video, this is the sort of church St Vincent Parish would look like.
Laurence Stephen "L.S." Lowry was born in Stretford, Lancashire, in the North of England and many of his paintings depict scenes from Pendlebury, Salford and surrounding areas. His paintings were usually of urban landscapes and he painted human figures in a simplified way which was referred to as "matchstick men."
The scene you see above is of the Northern town of Huddersfield which was painted in 1965.
Those of you who have read my book "VISIONS", and my other books and stories about Father Ignatius, will know that they are set in an un-named Northern town in England in the 1950's and 60's. The scene above is the sort of view one would imagine Father Ignatius would have from his office window high up in St Vincent Parish House.
You can see the hills fare away, often covered with snow in winter; the small terraced houses huddled together, sharing whatever warmth they have between them, and hiding behind the large tenements providing shelter from the Northern winds blowing down the hills; with people rushing to their homes or places of work as the acrid smelling smoke from those factory chimneys fill the gloomy skies.
In 1932 Lowry's father died leaving the family with debts, whilst his mother became ill and bedridden, relying on her son for care.Lowry often painted well into the night after his mother had fallen asleep.
He regretted that he had not received recognition as an artist until the year his mother died and that she was not able to enjoy his success.
Two years after his death, a famous song about Lowry by "Brian and Michael" topped the UK charts in 1978. I post a video below which shows a number of Lowry paintings and, in case you have difficulties with the accent, I also post the lyrics to the song for you to enjoy.
If you watch carefully, at about 3 minutes 30 seconds of the video, this is the sort of church St Vincent Parish would look like.
He painted Salford's smokey tops On cardboard boxes from the shops And parts of Ancoats where I used to play I'm sure he once walked down our street Cause he painted kids who had nowt on their feet The clothes we wore had all seen better days.
Now they said his works of art were dull No room, all round the walls are full But Lowry didn't care much anyway They said he just paints cats and dogs And matchstalk men in boots and clogs And Lowry said that's just the way they'll stay
And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs He painted kids on the corner of the street with the sparking clogs Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
Now canvas and brushes were wearing thin When London started calling him To come on down and wear the old flat cap They said tell us all about your ways And all about them Salford days Is it true you're just an ordinary chap
And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs He painted kids on the corner of the street with the sparking clogs Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
Now Lowries hang upon the wall Beside the greatest of them all And even the Mona Lisa takes a bow This tired old man with hair like snow Told northern folk its time to go The fever came and the good Lord mopped his brow
And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs He left us kids on the corner of the street with sparking clogs Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs He left us kids on the corner of the street with sparking clogs Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
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