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Lowry drawing set to fetch thousands

27/ 3/2003

A PENCIL drawing by LS Lowry is expected to fetch £20,000 today.

The drawing, which is just over 14ins x 9ins, is being auctioned at Christie's in London.

It was drawn in 1946 and shows Dean's Mill which used to stand in Deans Road, Swinton.

A similar sketch, showing the mill from the other side, drawn in 1956, is owned by the City of Salford and is kept at The Lowry arts centre. However, they are not putting in a bid for this picture.

The mill, which was opened in 1856 and owned by Simpson and Godlee Ltd who commissioned several paintings from Lowry, was closed in 1973.

The Christie's catalogue says: "In the present work, Lowry has distilled the essential character of an industrial town. The factory or mill is the archetypal subject for Lowry, to which he was to return throughout his career.

"Lowry uses pencil to full evocative effect and with characteristic vigour in this picture. He works in an assured manner, breathing life and form into his subjects."