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Going to Work (1959)

Going to Work (1959)

Original Medium: Watercolour on paper

This is an example of one of Lowry's famous crowd scenes. The colour palette is unusually light and airy, with pink and gold-tinged buildings lifting the atmosphere. Lowry said of the figures he painted, 'To say the truth, I was not thinking very much about the people... They are part of a private beauty that haunted me. I loved them and the houses in the same way: as part of a vision.'

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About ls lowry

LS Lowry (1887–1976) is one of Britain’s most iconic artists, best known for his evocative industrial landscapes and distinctive figures that populate scenes such as Going to the Match. A master observer of working-class life in northern England, Lowry also explored quieter moments through haunting seascapes and intimate portraits.

His signature use of a limited colour palette and stylised figures created a visual language that remains instantly recognisable. Many of his finest works, including Coming from the Mill and Yachts, are preserved in the acclaimed Lowry Collection in our Salford galleries.

Today, his legacy lives on through popular art prints, limited editions, and exhibitions that celebrate the enduring appeal of LS Lowry and his timeless vision of Britain.