Name: Mrs Swindell's Picture
Brand: L S Lowry
Rating: 5 (238 reviews)

Track auction value trend

The value of L S Lowry's Mrs Swindell's Picture (signed) is estimated to be worth between £1,800 and £2,700. This lithograph print, created in 1967, has shown consistent value growth, with an average annual growth rate of 6%. This work has an auction history of 33 total sales since its entry to the market in March 2005. Over the past 12 months, the average selling price was £1,550, across 2 sales. In the last five years, the hammer price has varied from £1,300 in November 2024 to £3,800 in September 2023. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 850.

Meaning & Analysis

A small detail reveals a long story in Mrs Swindell’s Picture. On the right-hand side of the painting by the blue fence is a small cat. Bettie Swindell’s granddaughter insisted on this detail. Swindell was Lowry’s cleaning lady who cleaned his house and did his laundry for 22 years - Lowry completed this piece for her in 1967. It depicts the road Bettie walked every day to get to Lowry’s house. The hill to the Elms is populated by Lowry’s emblematic ragtag figures, watched over by tall brick walls, Albion Mill and church spires. The painting went through various phases of alterations and adaptations over a long period by Lowry to get it right. It’s an account of the amicable relationship between Swindell and Lowry - Bettie was only supposed to stay for two weeks at the artist’s residence, but eventually stayed on to become a friend and a loyal confidante. This picture had also become highly popular with audiences. It is called ‘Mrs Swindell’s Picture’ because Bettie couldn’t think of an appropriate title.