A rare portrait of a woman painted by LS Lowry worth £150,000 has been uncovered, after being hidden away in a private collection for decades.
Lowry built his reputation for his paintings of matchstick men figures and industrial landscapes but he was also fascinated by portraits and surreal imaginings.
This 7x10-inch portrait of a leaning woman, titled 'Lady in Waiting', is one of his lesser-known works.
It was painted in 1964 and was last seen on public view in the Henry Donn Gallery in Manchester in 1978.
Henry Donn was a close friend of Lowry and handled the sales of many of his works.
The 'Lady in Waiting' was part of a series of oil on canvas paintings that Lowry slowly developed in the 1960s.
Mr Donn purchased it to keep in his private collection and it has remained in great condition.
It depicted a woman dressed in a blue skirt and red jumper staring out of the frame with a blank expression.
It is a more personal and intimate painting that contrasts with the populated scenes that brought Lowry to national fame.
Auctioneer Paul Hayes said: "It's a beautiful painting, the way Lowry managed to capture this posture is simply genius.
"He will have seen this lady walking along the street in a northern industrial town and he has got the mannerism just right.
"Lowry didn't create a single bad painting. This is one of his lesser-known works as it has been in private ownership since 1978.
"The provenance of this piece gives it an extra lift. Collectors like to know the background of the items they are purchasing.
"The 'Lady in Waiting' was originally bought by Lowry's close friend and broker Henry Donn.
"It has been treasured by its subsequent owners and remains relatively unknown.
"Unlike some of his other pieces which have sold a few times this does not have an established market value.
"It could go well beyond our estimate and we have had some good initial interest."
The sale will take place on Thursday, March 2 at Swan Fine Art Auctions of Oxfordshire.
