Mrs Swindell's Picture
Mrs Swindell's Picture
Signed Print
L S Lowry
£1,800-£2,700Value Indicator
$3,850-$6,000 Value Indicator
$3,300-$4,950 Value Indicator
¥17,000-¥25,000 Value Indicator
€2,100-€3,200 Value Indicator
$18,000-$27,000 Value Indicator
¥340,000-¥510,000 Value Indicator
$2,300-$3,500 Value Indicator
AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
Medium: Lithograph
Edition size: 850
Year: 1967
Size: H 41cm x W 30cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | Bonhams Knightsbridge | United Kingdom | |||
| November 2024 | Forum Auctions London | United Kingdom | |||
| September 2023 | Bonhams Knightsbridge | United Kingdom | |||
| August 2023 | Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers | Ireland | |||
| May 2023 | Dawsons, Berkshire | United Kingdom | |||
| April 2023 | Capes Dunn | United Kingdom | |||
| March 2023 | Ewbank's | United Kingdom |
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.
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.
