ΦLaurence Stephen Lowry, RA (1887-1976)

ΦLaurence Stephen Lowry, RA (1887-1976)
One of the Characters in `Six Characters in search of an author` by Pirandello
Signed and dated L S Lowry/ 1964 (lower right), and inscribed One of the Characters in/"Six Characters in search of an author"/by Pirandello (lower left)
Pencil on paper
17.5 x 11.5cm

Provenance:
Property of a deceased estate

The artist first went to see Pirandello's play in the company of his artist friend and protegee Sheila Fell in 1963. It had a deep impact upon him and Fell recalled that Lowry returned to the theatre `twice more with me, many times on his own.` Lowry was intrigued by the `small girl in it, with her long dark hair` and he `talked about it endlessly, analysing it, wondering at it.` The play explored a world of isolated and solitary individuals, with an admixture of sentiment and cynical humour. The characters dressed in black seemed to strike a particular chord with Lowry and his observant eye for tormented, eccentric individuals found much to explore within the production.