Name: The Harbour
Brand: L S Lowry
Rating: 5 (231 reviews)

Track auction value trend

The value of L S Lowry’s The Harbour, a signed lithograph from 1972, is estimated to be worth between £1,300 and £1,950. Over the past 12 months, the artwork has sold 10 times, with an average selling price of £1,801. In the last five years, the hammer price has ranged from £800 in December 2022 to £3,309 in October 2023. This work demonstrates an average annual growth rate of -9% and has an auction history of 52 total sales since its entry to the market in March 2005. The edition size of this piece is limited to 850.

Auction Date

Auction House

Location

Hammer Price

Return to Seller

Buyer Paid

June 2024

Wilson55

United Kingdom

March 2024

Rosebery's Fine Art Auctioneers

United Kingdom

December 2023

Wilson55

United Kingdom

October 2023

León Gallery, Makati

Philippines

October 2023

Chiswick Auctions

United Kingdom

September 2023

Bonhams Knightsbridge

United Kingdom

September 2023

Bonhams Knightsbridge

United Kingdom

Meaning & Analysis

Cumbria was a destination for Lowry on account of his friend and fellow artist Sheila Fell, who lived in Aspatria and another friend and collector, Geoffrey Bennett who lived in Maryport, where this painting was produced. The sea and landscapes of Cumbria made their way into his oeuvre, but only the Lowryan aspects that caught his attention during his travels. For example, in The Harbour, it was the working vessels, jet black with smoking funnels to mirror the smokestacks in the background, that caught his eye, rather than the leisure craft. Sea, sky and middle ground merge into one and other. The boats and buildings create repeating shapes that anchor the composition down. This work, as many of Lowry’s paintings do, also coincides with an important life event. In the year it was completed, Lowry received a letter from Carol Lowry, who he went on to tutor. They formed a close bond and she became somewhat of a muse to the older man. On his death in 1976 Carol inherited Lowry’s whole estate.

Born in 1887, L. S. Lowry was a key figure in 20th century British painting. Known for his distinctive painterly style and 'matchstick men', Lowry aimed to put industry on the map by typically focusing on scenes from his hometown in the North West of England. The naivety of his art drew criticism, yet has stood the test of time with the artist becoming a household name. Lowry has consistently performed in the secondary market, with works such as Going To The Match achieving a value of £2,919,000 in 2021 and the editioned prints remaining highly sought after.