SALFORD BASED ARTIST WITH WORLDWIDE REPUTATION
HAROLD RILEY
Harold Riley became one of the most respected and acclaimed artists of his generation whose paintings included presidents, popes and top footballers.
Harold started at Salford Grammar school in 1945 just after the second world war. His brother Michael followed him just a few years later. Amongst Harold’s contemporaries he was renowned as much for his skills on the football field as he was as an artist. He had trials for Manchester United, and the club would come to feature prominently in his artistic career.
Eventually, Harold decided to concentrate on art and won a scholarship to the Slade School in 1951. He studied in Italy and Spain, but perhaps most significantly, he struck up a lifelong friendship with the great L.S.Lowry. Lowry’s influence can be seen in much of his early work.
Salford was where Harold based his studio, and his love of the city of his birth shines through a good deal of his work. He was such a talented and versatile artist that his work covers a wide range of media and subjects, yet each one reflects the Riley trademark subtleties and observations.
It is perhaps his work in portraiture that he will be best remembered for. Amongst the prominent figures he painted are President JF Kennedy, Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II. His paintings of his mentor L.S.Lowry capture the singularity of the man like no one has before or since.
As a lifelong supporter of Manchester United it is not difficult to imagine how proud Harold was when he produced portraits of Matt Busby, Bobby Charlton and George Best. It was fitting that at Harold’s funeral in 2023, a large Manchester United contingent attended including Sir Alex Ferguson.
In 2017 Harold was granted the freedom of the City of Salford. He said at the time “This is the greatest honour I have received. It is the highlight of my career. I love this city. I love its people.”
Harold Riley paintings continue to sell successfully with many collectors vying for his work. He was followed to Salford Grammar school in the 1960s by his nephews Michael and Mark.
