LS Lowry: The Biography

Widely regarded as the definitive account of one of Britain's most celebrated artists, LS Lowry: A Biography by Shelley Rohde is an essential addition to the bookshelf of any admirer of LS Lowry's work.

First published in 1979 as A Private View of LS Lowry, Rohde's biography drew on personal interviews with the artist himself, conducted during his later life, an achievement in itself, given that LS Lowry was known to be difficult to pin down and was inclined to amuse himself by making up stories. Her penetrating account exposes the painter, the man and the myths surrounding an intensely private individual, acknowledged as one of the finest contemporary artists to have recorded Manchester's industrial background and its people.

Rohde became a personal friend of the artist, gaining access to his unpublished letters, notes and sketches, and provides a full and sympathetic portrait of an unusual man and artist, without concealment or whitewashing. In her own words, she became "an intemperate admirer of both the man and the artist", and that warmth and depth of understanding resonates throughout every page of this landmark text.

The result is a brilliant, comprehensive and insightful analysis of LS Lowry, his work, his motivation and his unusual way of life. 

This new edition, published by The Lowry Centre Ltd, features a redesigned cover and an exclusive foreword by the author's daughter, offering a personal and touching introduction to her mother's celebrated work. The original text has been faithfully reproduced in full, making this a definitive collector's edition of one of the most important books ever written about LS Lowry.

Whether you are a lifelong admirer of LS Lowry's industrial landscapes, his bustling northern town scenes, or the quieter, more introspective works of his later years, this biography offers unparalleled insight into the life and vision behind his art.

A beautiful gift for art lovers and an indispensable read for anyone seeking to truly understand LS Lowry.

• Author: Shelley Rohde
• Publisher: The Lowry Centre Ltd
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 446
• Dimensions: 17.5 x 23.5 cm
• Foreword: New foreword by the author's daughter