A rare L.S. Lowry drawing called “A Harassed Mother” is set to be sold off at a Nantwich auction house.
Wilson55 Auctioneers & Valuers, on Market Street, are presenting the previously unknown drawing for sale on the 50th anniversary year of Lowry’s death.
And it’s estimated the drawing could fetch as much as £35,000.
A Wilson55 spokesperson said: “Lowry is one of Britain’s most beloved artists and the offering of remarkable rarity that casts fresh light on Lowry’s later life and his quiet acts of generosity.”
The work is an original pencil drawing which was formerly owned by Professor W.J. Orville Thomas, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Salford.
He was a key figure in the acquisition of art for both the University and the Salford art community.
And Professor Thomas won “A Harassed Mother” in a raffle on 21st January 1971.
Contemporary press cuttings reveal two prominent Manchester artists donated works as competition prizes at a cheese and wine evening held to raise funds for the improvement of the L.S. Lowry Room at Salford Corporation Art Gallery.
This charitable act by Lowry is previously unrecorded and offers rare insight into an aspect of the artist’s life that is not widely documented.
The drawing depicts three cheerful children alongside a visibly worried mother – Lowry’s only difficulty, it seems,
was deciding on a title.
That was ultimately provided by Mrs Joyce Shaw, wife of Salford Art Gallery Director Stanley Shaw, who aptly named the work A Harassed Mother.
L.S. Lowry R.A. (British 1887-1976), “A Harassed Mother”, signed and dated 1970, titled on mount board, pencil on paper.
A Wilson55 spokesperson added: “Adding further weight to its importance, the drawing is accompanied by a seemingly unique piece of documentation: a signed declaration of assignment of copyright, dated February 1971.
“Such material is vanishingly rare and elevates the work to a level of provenance seldom encountered on the open market.
“This upcoming auction represents a rare and historic opportunity: the chance to acquire a previously unrecorded Lowry drawing, with impeccable provenance, unique documentary evidence, and a story that enriches our understanding of the artist himself.
“Works of this significance seldom come to market, and when they do, they redefine the moment.”
The piece is one the lots at the “Northern Art” auction on March 5th, 2026.
For additional information visit their website on Wilson55.com
I was so interested in Ray of the Ravers comment that I decided to have a try (not being a child of 8, but an amateur artist of 52!) It certainly teaches you a thing or two copying this Lowry sketch! I think we should all try. I certainly love Lowry art even more now.
Every picture tells a story,
What get me is when Banksie does a picture on walls etc it’s protected as art.
If you did the same you’d be prosecuted for spraying graffiti.
The world has gone mad.
Mind you I do like the works of Lowry.
Ray of the Ravers; no way an 8yr old would have that level of delicate competence, utterly brilliant.
Wow, looks like it was drawn by an 8 year old!