LS Lowry’s iconic matchday painting comes to Wirral

One of LS Lowry’s most famous paintings has gone on display at Birkenhead’s Williamson Art Gallery & Museum.

Going to the Match, painted in 1953, is arguably the best-known and most popular work by the artist, who was born in Stretford, Greater Manchester.

It was sold at auction in October 2022 for £7,846,500.

The painting has now left its home at The Lowry in Salford and is on a tour of five venues in the North West of England.

Although he painted other football-themed scenes, Going to the Match has become iconic as an enduring representation of what matchday means to fans.

In a statement, the Williamson gallery said: “The painting’s iconic status has been recognised and loved by visitors of all ages: especially those who love football and those who celebrate this quintessentially Northern experience.”

The painting features Burnden Park, the original home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club.

In 1953 the Football Association, celebrating its 90th anniversary, launched a competition called “Football and the Fine Arts” and Lowry’s painting beat 1,700 entries to win first prize.

It will be displayed at the Williamson alongside a selection of other works by the artist loaned from The Lowry in Salford, as well as private collections.

Born Laurence Stephen Lowry in 1887, the artist depicted industrial life in Greater Manchester and produced more than 1,000 artworks across his lifetime before his death in 1976.

The tour is being financed by a £95,000 grant from Arts Council England through its National Lottery Project Grants programme, and support from The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.

The exhibition runs until 27 July.