Fine Art Through the Roof - By: David Tatham

The crowd at a football match, composed of many of thin, pale figures, standing around an old football pitch, either side there are factories, terraced houses and dirty chimneys. One prominent voice described the scene of Lowry's painting as a modern masterpiece. L.S.Lowry was eighty eight years old when he died in 1976, and was famous for his images of the northern British working people in the industrial area.

To have some income, he was obliged to collect rent for the Manchester Pall Mall Property Company, but he would use every minute he spare moment to paint. Towards the end of his life, he was known as one of the Britain's greatest painters, and in nineteen fifty three he became the royal artist during the Queen's coronation. Nine years later in nineteen sixty two he became a member of the Royal Academy, and five years afterwards he was asked to paint some work that issued in the form of stamps by the Royal Mail.

Bury council purchased one of Lowry's paintings in nineteen fifty one for one hundred and fifty pounds, a large sum of money at that time, if one looks at what could be purchased for such a figure. Later, amongst much controversy, the council sold Lowry's picture in two thousand and six for one million two hunderd and fifty thousand pounds.

Until several years ago, the record amount paid for a Lowry painting had been 'Going to the match', almost two million pounds. Although it is estimated that should this painting be offered for sale today, it would attract offers of six to ten million pounds. This record soon changed, as Lowry's 'Daisy Nook Fair' was purchased for nearly four million pounds in two thousand and seven. Recorded sales of one hundred and twenty five works by Lowry have made almost thirty million pounds.

Returning to a picture that is to be sold in the near future 'The Fooball Match', this canvas is approximately the same size as 'Going to the Match' 28" x 36", it has been kept in a private collection, and out of public view for over twenty years. Once completed, the picture was shown in exhibitions in London, USA and Paris, after which in nineteen fifty it was bought by a private collector. Some collectors are expecting 'The Football Match' to sell for four and a half million pounds, which by past records is quite a conservative estimate. Bearing in mind that 'Going to the match' six years ago was expected to sell for five hundred thousand pounds.

The increase in the value of good quality art has seen a phenominal increase in recent years, and by collecting the , an excellent increase in valueprofit can be obtained. It may be said that due to these current difficult financial times, that the fine art world has benefited from people looking to reinvest their wealth in more financially stable products. It will be of interesting to see the outcome of the forthcoming sale of 'The Football Match', as this also has a comparitive effect on Lowry's signed, limited edition prints.

About the Author

David Tatham has been working in the art world for over twenty five years and . His website contains a wealth of information, also hundreds signed, limited edition prints and original works of art by world renowned artists,eg. The conservationist and wildlife artist, David Shepherd http://www.davidshepherd.com .

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/David-Tatham/67295

Additional Articles From - Home | Arts & entertainment | Art