Salford mayor: I'll put an export ban on lowry's painting if sold internationally

The Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennet, has announced that if Lowry's famous 'Going to the Match' is bought by an international art collector who intends to export it, he'll work to stop it.

IMAGE: LS Lowry's 'Going to the Match'

The painting, which is going to be auctioned by the Professional Footballers Association Charity, has been on display, available to view for free, at The Lowry Theatre & Gallery in MediaCityUK for over 20 years.

The Mayor, working alongside the Department for Culture, Media & Sport can apply for what is known as an "export ban" which would prevent the artwork from being taken out of The UK.

The painting, dating back to 1953 is inspired by Burnden Park which was the former home of Bolton Wanderers.

LS Lowry painted significant amounts of his work in a building which still remains on The University of Salford's main campus.

His office was in The Peel Building next to the Salford Museum & Art Gallery. He occupied the room behind the large arched window in the middle of the top floor of the building.

IMAGE: The Peel Building (Image from Uni of Salford)