Wigan Album

I thought his name was Lawrence Isherwood? Apologies if I'm wrong.

You may well be correct Irene, I just used the name that came up in the photo.

Irene, he was always referred to as Lawrence Isherwood and, I would say, most people knew hime as Lawrence Isherwood. But, I am quite sure that his first name was James and Lawrence was his middle name.
By the way, it must be an old photograph because "Lawrence" looks relatively young. Possibly, a photograph from the 1950's?

I had painting lessons from Lawrence Isherwood in the 1950’s in the Church Hall at the top of Greenough Street, near Scholes. Thing to was the one that took a hit during the war.
I was much of a fan of his work. Lived in one of those houses opposite the Infirmary a little up from the Bellingham.
His brother had a Shoe Shop on the corner is Darlington Street East and Walmersley Street, think he also had one in Wallgate near North West Station.

Christened James Lawrence Isherwood.
Born 7th April 1917, mother's maiden name Leyland.

Meant to say 'Not much of a Fan'!

You might be if you saw how much his paintings sell for these days! I wish I had one hanging on the wall whether I liked it or not

Hi Graham, yes I am aware of these prices and would still not wish for one on my wall no more than I would like that Warp & Weft thing in Wigan in my garden that caused so much recent controversy!
With the greatest respect to Lawrence in my humble opinion his styles were so varied, eclectic and sometimes slapdash.
My humble opinion does not end there, Theodore Majors 'Industrial Dawn' is very Turneresque and 'Factories of Wigan, Shaft of Light' depressing like William Blake and others such as 'Crucifixion in Wigan' just ghoulish and morbid.
Obviously I recognise that art appreciation is in the eye of the beholder or those with more money than sense, or perhaps just a investment. So apologies to those who are devotees, art is by its very nature of its creator often meant to cause controversy like Religion or Politics!
I am not a complete Philistine I love the Old Masters, Impressionists the surreal work of Salvador Dali and some modernist such Joan Miro.
As far as inexpensive works by artists with a kindlier view of Wigan, like the simple water colours of Raymond McLaren or Harry Walder who's painting of the Whitbread Stand at Central Park features my particular art installation!

I have to say I was never a devotee of Lawrence Isherwood’s art. I was mildly chided by another amateur artist regarding my dislike. So I was pleasantly surprised looking on Google for some of his Artwork done I think in the South of France to find he had done some ‘renoiresque’ type paintings which I thought was rather nice with beautiful colours and tones ! The total opposite to what we used to see in some of his clog/shoe shop windows in Greenough St. in other words he could be quite versatile. But it was for his working class type of art that he was famous for.

Veronica, I cannot disagree, there are some works by both artists worthy of merit but I wonder if JLI ever went to the South of France or was he just inspired by works of the Impressionists?

Come to think of it there would be no harm in any artist working from sources of inspiration.
I once visited the Vatican and marvelled at the frescos on the walls and ceiling in the Sistine Chapel but I very much doubt that Michelangelo ever saw a cherub or took a fortnights painting holiday in Heaven!
I spoke with a Cardinal whilst there, he confided in my that Michelangelo who full name was Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni spent four years on his back painting that ceiling all be cause the Pope was too mean to by him a roller and a tin of Magnolia.
And that statue of David which he so famous for is so out of proportion because the ladder had not yet been invented.

Yes I have been to the Sistine Chapel Colin twice actually too much to take in rushing through. Imagine lying on your back painting those figures what a headache you would have. I have no words to describe the beauty on that ceiling. I believe it was painted out of proportion so looking upwards it would seem to be in proportion. ( if that makes sense!). I don’t think you have time to savour it all in a few hours. Going underneath St Peter’s to see all the tombs of past Popes was fascinating. Then the Catacomb's… another experience again.

You are so right Veronica, you don’t have to be religious to appreciate the grandeur and beauty and sheer talent of the artists who created all this.
Once seen and experienced in reality never leaves you.
Of course not quite the same but St John’s Church in Standishgate is beautiful inside.