Name: Mrs Swindell's Picture
Brand: L S Lowry
Rating: 5 (231 reviews)

Track auction value trend

L S Lowry's Mrs Swindell's Picture (signed) from 1967 is a lithograph print, estimated to be worth between £2,900 and £4,400. This work has shown consistent value, with an average annual growth rate of -3%. Over the past five years, the hammer price has ranged from £1,500 in June 2022 to £3,800 in September 2023. This artwork has an auction history of 31 total sales since its entry to the market in March 2005. The edition size of this piece is limited to 850.

Auction Date

Auction House

Location

Hammer Price

Return to Seller

Buyer Paid

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

November 2022

Morgan O'Driscoll

Ireland

July 2022

Sworders

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.