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L. S. Lowry The Unheard Tapes
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Message
Posted
OK, I've now unearthed the Fake and Fortune episode.
Analysis of the Darby and Joan painting revealed not Titanium White, but Zinc White as a base layer. This was an odd thing to do, for reasons well explained in the broadcast; but it was known that Lowry experimented with different colours, despite his assurance that he used only a handful.
This is complicated by the fact that manufacturers often used - and most still do - an element of Zinc White in their Titanium, to give a brighter white. The best Titanium Whites contain no Zinc, or at least not the problematic variant, Zinc Oxide. The quantity varies, but in any case the chemical analysis showed Zinc Oxide, not Titanium.
The boxes of paint visible in the photograph of Lowrey in his studio were Zinc (as I remembered; but as I haven't re-watched the whole episode I can't be sure about that), which he had claimed not to use. What he really DID use remains an open question. So there we are. The answer lay on I-player.
The ultimate fate of the paint layers could depend on whether he allowed the Zinc underlay to dry before painting over it, or worked into it with his lead (Flake) white; if the latter, it might stand a better chance of not cracking or delaminating; it would be interesting to see, if only we can all contrive to live long enough.
Posted
As you will surely see, I HAVE watched the relevant section of the Fake and Fortune programme; I don't need to interpret it, the information is there. The paint in question was Zinc white - I don't really care whether the boxes pictured were Zinc or Titanium - though that does matter - and said I had not viewed that part of the clip.
I presume the programme we're talking about is the same one? The 2015 Fake and Fortune programme in which Philip Mould - or Mold - went to the analysis of the paint? If so, and you have watched the same programme, I don't understand how you're coming to your conclusion.
Posted
And thanks to you, my lad, I've had to watch the whole programme through.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0612kxh/fake-or-fortune-series-4-1-lowry
They identified boxes of Titanium White, and one of Zinc White, in a film taken in his studio while he was actually painting. So he used both: and that is what I said, before I'd re-watched the programme. If you WERE talking about another programme, well maybe you were; but this is the relevant one to the matter in hand. I don't just guess at things I put on here - I have never said anything without evidence; and if it's an opinion, I've always (I think and hope) said so.
Posted
Ive just found this, advertised at the end of another recorded programme I was listening to.
Mrs Lowry and Son. It's just a short drama of 45 minutes. The piece expires in 18 days on BBC Sounds. I listening now, so can't give an opinion as yet.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b01h7cdt
Lynda Baron and Reece Dinsdale
Posted
I remember it being an interesting broadcast : what did you make of it? Lowry struck me as a man who dealt in broad truths, but never mind the details - I see nothing wrong with that, either: none of us has to tell everyone everything about what we do or think - but never take artists literally; that's where those experts who love certainty can go very wrong - though in all conscience, those responsible for attributing work can only reliably employ the hard information available to them. That particular broadcast isn't really relevant to this discussion, of course - it made no claims, just dramatized one aspect of his life; it's worth seeking out, if you can still find it.
Posted
The depiction of his relationship with his controlling mother, was overplayed, I think. Showed the class attitude to art criticism, only the opinions of well dressed people are worth anything. ;-)
This is the Sailing Boats picture featured.
Bonhams
Sold for £229k in 2024
Edited
by Norrette Moore
Posted
Just to complete the anniversary programmes on the goggle box, there is this ballet from 1987 (although the quality is good). Lowry, The Simple Man. Greate visuals from the choreography although it didnt hold my attention throughout.
What was good was the late Albert Finney giving a lengthy introduction.
Lowry: A Simple Man: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002rxsv
on bbc iplayer