Station Approach, 1962

L.S. Lowry RA (1887 - 1976)

RA Collection: Art

Lowry depicts the pedestrians and traffic hurrying around Exchange Station in Manchester. Viewed from above, individuals are reduced to rushing silhouettes. The smoke-filled sky obscures background landmarks including the tower of Strangeways Prison on the right.

Although he more frequently depicted such figures amongst the factories and terraced streets of industrial areas, the artist painted at least two views of the approach to this station.

Lowry was fond of saying 'I only paint what I see, you know', but regularly painted from memory or imagination. He took particular liberties with the statue of Oliver Cromwell that stood at the junction, transforming it into a light-hearted figure directing the traffic. Exchange Station was built in 1884 but closed in 1969 and has since been demolished.