“‘Going to the Match’ is among the earliest known, if not the earliest, depiction of one of L.S. Lowry’s most iconic and timeless subjects — that of spectators thronging to a sporting occasion,” mentioned Sotheby’s in a press release.
Lowry is famend for his photos of crowds at soccer matches, utilizing his celebrated model of “matchstick” individuals in opposition to a monochrome palette backdrop to illustrate northern England’s chilly and gray.
In 2011, Lowry’s 1949 painting “The Football Match” offered for £5.6 million ($9 million), whereas one other work, 1953’s “Football Ground” was purchased by the UK’s Professional Footballers’ Association for £1.9 million ($2.9 million) in 1999.
“Going to the Match” is considered one of solely a small handful of work by Lowry relating to the sport of rugby league, which has a powerful supporter base in the north of England.
In August 1895, 22 golf equipment me to type the Northern Rugby League and break free from the sport of rugby union, enabling working class gamers to be compensated for wages misplaced when taking part in.
“The red flag seen flying by the ground, as well as the red scarves worn by several of the crowd members, hints at the Salford Red Devils — Lowry’s local team,” mentioned Sotheby’s.
Exhibited solely as soon as earlier than in 1966, the painting has remained in the similar household assortment since 1972, and will probably be proven to the public in New York, Edinburgh and Dublin earlier than being auctioned in London on June 29.
‘People assume crowds are all the similar’
In a dialog with artwork critic Edwin Mullins, in accordance to Sotheby’s, Lowry mentioned, “People think crowds are all the same. But they’re not, you know. Everyone’s different. Look! That man’s got a twitch. He’s got a limp. He’s had too much beer. It’s wonderful isn’t it.”
While working as a hire collector, Lowry attended artwork college part-time for 13 years.
“Going to the Match” was painted in the similar 12 months — 1928 — {that a} then 41-year-old Lowry completed his part-time artwork college schooling stint.
“Lowry was the ultimate onlooker,” mentioned Frances Christie, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s UK & Ireland. “In his compositions focusing on sporting subjects, it is the crowd that fascinated him above all else.
“Not solely is that this seemingly to be the earliest sports activities associated image Lowry painted, however additionally it is considered one of his very first depictions of a mass of individuals going to and from anyplace.
“In this phenomenal painting, the figures lean forward in unison, emphasising their common purpose in being drawn to the rugby posts clearly visible on the left-hand side of the canvas.
“The pre-match sense of vitality, pleasure and anticipation is palpable and can resonate with any sports activities lover in the present day, nearly 100 years after it was painted.”
Lowry died in 1976 at the age of 88.
