Artwork description:

The artist Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887–1976), worked his paintings up from drawings he made scrutinising the passing public, and the factories, houses and institutions that made up their backdrop. This print depicts the artist outside his own home in Mottram in Longdendale, Manchester: my attempt to turn the tables on that charitable but mischievous man. Lowry didn't enjoy close attention himself and once revealed that he kept a suitcase by his front door with the purpose of repelling visitors, claiming should anyone call, that he was just about to leave. He only abandoned the charade after an eager young man insisted on conveying him to the railway station, where Lowry felt obliged to buy a ticket and board a train to an unwanted destination.

This print is pulled from an image cut out of a sheet of rubber, and is a variation of letterpress printing. After removal of areas that are to be left as white paper, the remaining rubber is rolled up with ink and pressed to paper. The edition in this case was closed at five and the rubber plate was discarded. The print comprises oil-based ink on acid free paper and should present no keeping difficulties. The image measures 7x8¾ inches on a 10 x 12 inch sheet and will fit straight into a standard 10 x 12 inch frame.

Materials used:

black oil-based printing ink, Lambeth cartridge 130gsm

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