Lowry painting exceeds estimation

The council decided to sell the 1935 painting of Berwick-upon-Tweed's market area to raise money for its cultural programme. The painting was predicted to obtain between £300,000 and £500,000. The artwork, bought for 30 guineas in 1945, went to an unknown buyer at auction at Christie's in London. The work, by Laurence Stephen Lowry, was acquired in a straight from Lowry's agent by Henry Morris, who was then chief education officer of Cambridgeshire County Council.

On Thursday, it was obtainable at the 20th Century British Art sale by the Cambridgeshire Schools' Art Collection of Cambridgeshire County Council. Money raised will go towards the Cambridgeshire Culture programme, to support the cultural experiences of kids and young people.