As we prepare to celebrate the lives and work of Valette, Lowry and other Northern artists in our forthcoming exhibition, ‘From Impression to Industrialism: Valette, Lowry and Beyond’, it feels fitting to briefly revisit the story of Valette and Lowry’s connection. Or rather, the artistic chain of events – the impression, if you will – set in motion by Valette’s atmospheric depictions of industrial Manchester. Valette's artwork left a lasting mark on the young L.S. Lowry, encouraging him to find both the confidence and clarity to develop his own unmistakable style. From this influence grew Lowry’s ability to capture the rhythms of urban life: its figures, factories and streets distilled into the iconic visual language we recognise today.
Pierre Adolphe Valette (1876–1942) was a French Impressionist painter. Born in Saint-Étienne, France, Valette trained in the French academic tradition while absorbing the influence of Impressionism, especially its concern with atmosphere, light and modernity.
In 1905, Valette moved to Manchester, a decision that would define the rest of his life and career. At the time, the city was one of the world’s great industrial centres. Dominated by canals, warehouses, factories, and smoke-filled skies. Rather than being repelled by this environment, Valette found it artistically compelling. He applied Impressionist techniques to Manchester’s streets and waterways. Producing moody depictions of industrial life that earned him the reputation as “the painter of Manchester.” His work captured the poor weather and reflected light with a sensitivity that was unprecedented in British painting of the city.
Soon after arriving, Valette began teaching at the Manchester Municipal School of Art. As a teacher, he was highly respected for his technical skill, discipline and belief in careful observation. Among his students was L. S. Lowry, who later acknowledged Valette as a crucial influence on his artistic development, credited him with opening his eyes to the expressive possibilities of the industrial landscape. Through his teaching, Valette quietly but profoundly shaped a generation of artists.
Despite his importance, Valette remained relatively obscure for much of his life, overshadowed by changing artistic fashions and financial difficulties. He spent the remainder of his life in Manchester, continuing to paint and teach until ill health curtailed his work. Pierre Adolphe Valette died in Manchester in 1942.
The 150th anniversary since his birth is a major milestone, prompting renewed interest in Valette’s life, work, and lasting influence on British art. It offers an important opportunity to re-evaluate his role as the painter of industrial Manchester and as a formative teacher whose legacy continues to shape how the city is seen and understood.
