Unseen Lowry goes on show in York after £8m gallery revamp

A PREVIOUSLY unseen painting by artist LS Lowry is to go on show to the public for the first time.
A View of York (From Tang Hall Bridge)A View of York (From Tang Hall Bridge)
A View of York (From Tang Hall Bridge)

A View of York (From Tang Hall Bridge) was bought by a private collector after it was painted in the 1950s.

It will be now be shown, alongside two other works by Lowry, in York Art Gallery, which is reopening after an £8 million redevelopment.

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Lowry was commissioned by the gallery in 1952 to paint a scene of York.

The artist painted three pictures during his time in the city, with his Clifford’s Tower work being purchased by the gallery for £50.

A View of York and Wilson’s Terrace were both bought by private collectors.

The three works of art will now be reunited for the first time, along with a sketch of Clifford’s Tower.

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Lorna Frost, curatorial assistant at York Museums Trust, said: “Lowry was already a well-known and established artist when he came to York in 1952.

“Leading figures in York suggested to Lowry scenes which would ‘blend gothic and industry’ but he instead chose to depict the iconic Clifford’s Tower.

“This has become one of the gallery’s most famous and well-loved works and if you look closely you can pick out York’s industrial buildings in the background of the ancient stone tower.

“We are delighted that the private collectors have given us permission to show the other two works and the sketch of the tower to mark the reopening of the gallery.

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“Both of the oil paintings show scenes of the city which have since drastically changed. They remain true to Lowry’s iconic style and will be a highlight for visitors coming to see the newly reopened gallery this summer.”

The gallery has been redeveloped to include more space, a new artists’ garden and better visitor facilities.

The new Centre of Ceramic Art is dedicated to the largest collection of British studio ceramics in the world and includes work by Grayson Perry.

Installations by Claire Twomey and Susie MacMurray will see 10,000 ceramic bowls piled high in towering columns and thousands of pure gold wire threads creating an illusion of shimmering movement.

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The gallery’s collection of Italian Old Masters will be complimented by loans from major public collections and notable works by 20th century artists, including David Hockney, will also be on display.

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