It is reported that the series of classic paintings auctioned at this event are highly representative, including some masterpieces by Lowry that were widely praised at the retrospective exhibition at the Tate in 2013 and previously exhibited at various other art institutions. Sotheby’s anticipated that the total sales would exceed £15 million (approximately 150 million RMB).
Notably, this auction presented only two works by Lowry depicting Piccadilly Circus in London, which attracted significant attention. One of the paintings became the highlight of the auction, showcasing the keen insight and extraordinary intuition of the renowned collector A.J. Thompson regarding the works of the famous artist Lowry.
It is understood that Thompson is very dedicated in his collection, having exclusively collected the paintings of Lowry throughout his life, never acquiring works from other artists. Over the past thirty years, Thompson's devoted attention and keen artistic eye for Lowry's masterpieces have made him one of the largest collectors of this artist's works in modern history. In 1982, Thompson entrusted Sotheby’s with the auction of his first precious Lowry painting, which generated a strong response.
Frances Christie, head of Sotheby’s Modern and Post-War British Art department, stated: “We are very pleased that this auction achieved such remarkable results, which fully demonstrate the outstanding achievements of the renowned collector Thompson over more than thirty years of careful collection, proving his talent in this field of collecting, while also reflecting the exceptional quality of Lowry's collected works. Thompson's unique insights and outstanding taste in collecting Lowry's magnificent pieces are fully evident in this selection of fine artworks, with different themes sparking intense competition among collectors as soon as they were unveiled. Of course, the success of this evening auction is also attributed to the unique appeal of the renowned artist Lowry to international collectors, with British style captivating the entire audience. We saw not only collectors from various parts of Europe but also American collectors actively participating in this auction, indicating the widespread demand from global collectors and art enthusiasts for the precious works of such outstanding artists. Many collectors were encountering this type of collection for the first time, and some of our familiar clients successfully acquired their first Lowry collectible at this auction, which is a bold attempt in art collecting that is truly gratifying.”
When discussing the renowned artist Lowry, Christie remarked: “The major exhibition 'Lowry and the Art of Modern Life,' curated by T.J. Clark, Honorary Retired Professor of Art History at the University of California, Berkeley, and Anne Wagner, recently opened grandly at the Tate, which will help reposition Lowry's status in the art world and dispel the prejudice that he could only depict very simple British scenes. In fact, Lowry is a very successful artist who, through his exceptional observational skills and outstanding painting techniques, created a series of classic complex paintings that showcase modern life in the twentieth century, providing a strong visual impact. Lowry's works, which capture the rapidly disappearing ways of life in Britain, resonate with the current development of emerging economies worldwide.”
