Lot 836
Harold Francis Riley (1934-) and Brian Duff (1929-2007)
Lot 836 Details
Harold Francis Riley (1934-) and Brian Duff (1929-2007), British
PORTRAIT OF LAURENCE STEPHEN LOWRY RBA RA (1887-1976); PHOTOGRAPH OF LOWRY, TIRED (2 WORKS)
The first by Riley being a black charcoal drawing with shading and heightened with white pastel on paper; the second by Duff, being a black and white photograph; stamped “Daily Express / Copyright Picture by Brain Duff “ to the verso
Respectively 12.75 x 9.25 in — 32.4 x 23.5 cm; 9 x 11.75 in — 22.9 x 29.8 cm
Estimate $1,200-$1,800
Additional Images
Provenance:
The House of J. Davey & Sons Limited, Manchester framer’s label verso (Riley had the drawing of Lowry framed);
Both works direct from the artist’s studio and collection;
Gifted to Mrs. Westwell (the present owner’s grandmother), Manchester, UK;
By descent to the granddaughter, Toronto, circa 1986
Note:
Brian Duff (1929-2007) was the chief photographer at the Daily Express in Manchester. He knew Lowry’s yawn meant he was tired and ready to return to his solitude. His relaxed pose in this photograph suggests the same attitude.
Mrs. Westwell became a good friend of Harold Francis Riley. She was one of the first collectors to buy his paintings.
Riley, born December 21, 1934 in Salford, Lancashire, England befriended L.S. Lowry when he was 11 years old. It is reported in the Daily Mail newspaper review that “Nobody knew Lowry better than artist Harold Riley.”