Lowry masterpiece sold to private collector would be tragic – mayor of Salford
The painting will headline Christies Modern British and Irish Art Evening Sale on October 19.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The mayor of Salford said it would be “truly tragic” if LS Lowry’s painting Going To The Match was sold to a private collector and was not free for the public to access.
The artwork, depicting a bustling throng of people gathered at Burnden Park football stadium former home of the Bolton Wanderers, is among a series of paintings going under the hammer at Christie’s Modern British and Irish Art evening sale on October 19.
Paul Dennett, mayor of Salford, said that the new owner of the painting must keep it “free to access” in the city of Salford, greater Manchester and the North.
On Twitter he wrote: “LS Lowry’s ‘Going to the Match’ captures the essence of the match day experience within our working class communities in 1953, with ordinary men, women and children streaming into the ground, capturing the sociology of football rather than the commercialism of the match itself.
“It would be truly tragic for our footballing community, heritage and proud working class history here in Salford, Greater Manchester and the North if this iconic painting ceased to be free to access as part of LS Lowry’s biggest collection of paintings and drawings @The_Lowry.
“Wouldn’t it be truly tragic if this iconic LS Lowry painting ‘Going to the Match’ was sold to a private collector and ceased to be free to access by people here in the City of Salford as it has been for the past 22 years on the walls of @The_Lowry?”
Julia Fawcett, chief executive of the Lowry museum and gallery, told the Guardian that the gallery was not in a position to buy the painting, which is estimated to fetch up to £8 million.
However, she said that they would like to have a conversation with the buyer about the “responsibility that comes with owning such a work”.
“This isn’t just any painting. We have school trips, children coming to study the work. It’s clearly linked to the social history of our city. It’s seen not just by traditional art lovers, the painting draws in the ordinary people it represents. We have coachloads of football fans coming in ahead of a match,” she said.
In 1999, Going to the Match was bought by the Professional Footballers Association for £1,926,500 including buyers premium at Sotheby’s – a record price at auction for a Lowry and any modern British painting.