A rare photograph has surfaced showing one of Britain's most beloved artists, Laurence Stephen Lowry, posing next to his masterpieces during a historic exhibition at Sunderland Art Gallery nearly six decades ago. The image, preserved in the Sunderland Echo archives, captures the renowned painter on the day his work went on display in the northeastern English city in 1966.

The exhibition featured an impressive collection of 81 paintings and 35 drawings by Lowry, who became famous for his distinctive industrial landscapes and stick-figure depictions of working-class life. In the photograph, the artist can be seen standing beside one of his masterpieces, providing a rare glimpse of the man behind the iconic "Matchstick Men" paintings. The Sunderland showing served as the starting point for a touring exhibition that would later travel to Manchester, Bristol, and ultimately the prestigious Tate Gallery in London.

Lowry's connection to the Sunderland area, particularly the Wearside region, ran deep beyond this single exhibition. The artist developed a profound affection for the coastal area and spent many of his holidays in the seaside resort town of Seaburn during the 1960s and 1970s. The Seaburn Hotel became like a second home to him, serving as his preferred accommodation during these frequent visits to the northeast coast.

During his stays in the region, Lowry would spend countless hours sketching along the River Wear and the North Sea coastline. He was captivated by the maritime scenes, drawing inspiration from the boats, local people, industrial factories, and the distinctive skyline that characterized the area. These coastal observations would later influence his artistic work, adding to his already extensive portfolio of industrial and urban scenes.

The artist's legacy in Sunderland continued long after his original 1966 exhibition. In 2012, Lowry's paintings returned to the city when they were displayed at The Museum and Winter Gardens as part of a special exhibition commemorating the 125th anniversary of his birth. This later showing demonstrated the enduring appeal and significance of his work to new generations of art enthusiasts.

The rediscovery of this rare photograph offers art historians and fans alike a unique window into Lowry's career during one of his significant exhibition periods. For those who may have encountered the artist during his frequent visits to the Sunderland area or attended his exhibitions, these images serve as a valuable historical record of one of Britain's most distinctive artistic voices.