'How Lowry came to create Northern River Scene is explained by him in a letter to the publishers dated 11th August 1962: 'A few years ago I was asked to do a picture of Lincoln with the Cathedral in it. I chose this part of the River, which is quite industrial, with the Cathedral in the background centre of the picture - later on I thought this setting would make an industrial picture, but instead of the Cathedral, putting a factory Building with Tower in place of the Cathedral. I elaborated upon the theme making it more industrial until eventually it came out what you see. But as I say the basis of the picture was the quite industrial nature of the Scene as it actually was.' (D.McLean, op. cit.)