Forte's forté: hotelier's Lowry collection for sale

The 1944 artwork is one of 14 Lowrys belonging to the late multimillionaire caterer and hotelier, Lord Forte (Rex Features)

An L S Lowry painting of an industrial landscape is set to fetch up to £1.8m when it is auctioned at Christie's in London next week. The 1944 artwork is one of 14 Lowrys belonging to the late multimillionaire caterer and hotelier, Lord Forte, who amassed his collection during almost three decades.

The work is considered to be one of the most important ever created by Lowry, who is best known for paintings depicting matchstick figures against the backdrop of Northern mill towns.

The auction also includes a 1960 painting of Piccadilly Circus.