An Organ Grinder

Laurence Stephen Lowry 1887 - 1976

Summary

The view down Holgate Street in the Hulme area of Manchester on a busy day. In the foreground, crowds of figures gather at the street entrance to enjoy the music of an organ grinder, who can be seen as a small, dark figure at some distance down the road in the centre of the composition. On the left street corner is a red building with a sign suspended from its wall, reading 'SURGERY'. Towering over the houses of the street is a line of telegraph poles that march into the distance and to the left of these is the huge, dark spire of a church with a blank clock face. Beyond the end of the street are more distant buildings, including an industrial chimney. The street, many of the buildings and much of the sky are painted in the same tone of white.

Display Label

An Organ Grinder 1934 L.S. Lowry 1887-1976 Oil on canvas This painting shows how Valette's influence weakened as Lowry developed his own, idiosyncratic style. Nevertheless, the dark figures set against a pale backdrop derives principally from Valette's paintings, particularly the foreground figure in Albert Square. Purchased 1936.1