(Above) LS Lowry, Waterloo Docks. Courtesy National Museum Liverpool
Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery has been loaned a rare LS Lowry painting of the city’s Waterloo Docks together with two biro studies.
But the depiction, which Lowry created on a visit to Liverpool in 1962, has left curators scratching their heads as they try to decide which part of the docks, opened in 1834, he depicted.
"We believe the painting either shows the outer wharf of the west dock or the dockside that separates the west and east docks," says Ben Whittaker, Merseyside Maritime Museum's curator of port history.
"On balance we think it probably shows part of the west dockside with the Mersey on the left, but we can't be 100% certain. The building could be a dockmaster's building.
"The painting has caused some head scratching – perhaps our visitors who know the dock could offer suggestions. It's certainly a talking point."
(Above) Walker Art Gallery Head of Fine Art, Ann Bukantas, admires the Lowry
It seems that Lowry used a bit of artistic licence to fuse together various elements to come up with his own version of the scene. In any case, the Walker has gladly added it to the collection.
"We are delighted to be able to show Waterloo Docks," said Ann Bukantas, the Gallery's Head of Fine Art. "It is a fine example of Lowry's later work, giving an insight into his choice of subjects. He liked the combination of industrial activity and seascape offered by such scenes."
Lowry painted a small number of Liverpool scenes including views of the River Mersey and Liver Building. His works often include crowds of scurrying, stick-like figures in northern industrial townscapes.
Waterloo Docks and studies have been generously loaned by a family with Liverpool connections. It was last seen at the Walker in the 1973 Lowry exhibition.
