Harold Riley DL, DLitt, FRCS, DFA, ATC (1934-2023)
Man in a Wheelchair
Signed by Harold Riley and L S Lowry, dated (19)60, oil on board, 25cm by 14.5cm

Provenance: Purchased from Harold Riley by the vendor's father in the 1970's
Thence by descent

Lowry and Harold Riley first met in 1945 when the former presented Riley with an award for first prize at a Salford Grammar School art exhibition. They went on to be close friends and painting companions for over thirty years. They more usually painted works on paper together, thus making this fully finished oil painting a rarity. I have seen a number of these ‘joint ventures ‘ over the years and I imagine both artists had great fun deciding who would paint what, perhaps swapping their usual subjects to tease us…… Judging from the positioning of Lowry’s signature on the wall to the right, and evidence of his usual pigments and trademark scratching out technique, then my best guess is that Lowry has deliberately avoided painting the figures altogether to keep us guessing and has gone for the pavement, wall, windows and the wheelchair contraption and Riley has painted all the figures. Now with the sad passing of Harold Riley only last month we no longer have anyone to ask, so we will never know for sure, which would probably amuse both artists greatly!

We are grateful to Jonathan Horwich for his assistance with this catalogue entry.