| Description | Contains a video documentary about the life and works of Beverley artist, Fred Elwell.
Timing. Action on film:
(00:41) Fred was born in St Mary's Cottage in Beverley, 1870. He was the youngest son of 6 children. His father, James, was a woodcarver of considerable local standing.
(01:31) In 1887 Fred won a three year scholarship to the Lincoln School of Art. He won a commendation and later a medal for his painting 'Still life with fish'.
(02:02) He then sailed to Antwerp to study at the Academy of Art there. His painting 'Cello player' shows the influence of the Dutch masters.
(02:34) From 1892 Fred was studying in Paris. He dabbled in the impressionist style.
(02:56) In 1894 he painted 'Leonie's toilet'.
(03:20) After Paris Fred moved to London. At this time many of his paintings were rejected by the Royal Academy and it is believed that he had a nervous breakdown.
(03:42) Fred returned home to the care of his family in Beverley. Several local patrons supported his work and paintings such as 'Beverley Beck' attracted commercial success.
(04:01) By the turn of the century Fred had acquired a studio in Wood Lane, Beverley. He was painting local characters and pastels such as that of Mrs Downs, the wife of a local businessman. He also painted 'The artist in his studio' at this time.
(04:38) During the early 1900s Fred sometimes sailed between Beverley Beck and the River Humber with fellow artist Walter Hadland. He made several paintings of the area such as 'The path to Beverley'.
(05:07) Meanwhile Fred gained national recognition with successful exhibits at the Royal Academy, and he continued to show there annually for the rest of his life.
(05:20) Fred soon moved to a studio in Beverley's Trinity Lane. Some of his paintings were set there, including 'Refugees in my studio' and 'The Beverley Band practices in my studio'.
(05:53) In the early part of the 20th century he had a pupil called Mary Dawson Holmes or Mamie as he called her. Fred helped her to nurse her ailing husband, and after the husband died, Fred and Mamie married in 1914. They did not have any children and lived at Bar House in Beverley.
(06:23) Their honeymoon was taken in Scarborough which over the years was the inspiration for several paintings, including 'The fish stall' painted in 1934.
(07:00) During the 1920s the couple travelled with Sanger's Circus for the summer season. One of the most memorable paintings from this period is 'The performers'entrance' from 1923.
(07:20) Fred and Mamie also made frequent trips to France and Italy.
(07:50) They took great interest in the history of Beverley and participated in the 'Beverley through the ages' pageant in 1937.
(07:58) Many of the rooms in their Bar House home inspired paintings. 'The last purchase' was set in the study in 1921 and Fred's father James was the sitter. 'Maids with pigeons' was set in the kitchen wing. 'The birthday party' was also set in Bar House, and 'The window seat' was painted in the dining room.
(10:07) 'Portrait of a small boy' was painted at Bar House where the beautiful garden was also an inspiration.
(11:01) 'The last cab' is one of Fred's most famous paintings and is set in North Bar Within.
(12:01) Fred enjoyed his breaks for lunch and also some drink to accompany them. He usually met friends at the Rose and Crown and he also patronised the Beverley Arms Hotel, which inspired paintings such as 'An old inn kitchen', 'The three maids' and 'The young pot boy'.
(13:39) 'In a wood carver's shop' includes his father as the man with the trilby. 'The last Beverley pipemaker' was painted at a workshop in Monk's Walk.
(14:06) Beverley Minster is the subject of several of Fred's paintings.
(15:13) In his painting 'The first born' we can see Fred's attention to detail.
(16:06) Fred used his students, his nephew and his protégé as models in his painting 'In the police court'. His father James was the model for the magistrate.
(16:27) 'The butler takes a glass of port' shows a butler taking a drink after the guests have left.
(16:43) 'Inventory and valuation for probate' is set in Arden's Vaults in Beverley. It shows some valuers tasting wine to assess it.
(17:03) 'Man with a pint' shows the increase in the price of beer. This won the 'Picture of the year' prize from the Royal Academy in 1933.
(17:31) By 1935 Fred needed a studio in London. His new Holland Park address kept him in touch with the London art world. He became part of a group which included Alfred Mannings and John Lamorna Birch.
(18:02) From his London studio Fred submitted his diploma work 'The Royal Academy Selection and Hanging Committee 1938' and with this he became a Royal Academician.
(18:34) His painting 'The wheelwright's shop' shows his positive attitude to the Second World War.
(19:00) In 1952 Fred's wife Mary died.
(19:13) One of Fred's last paintings was 'Basket of flowers'.
(19:34) Fred and Mamie are buried at St Mary's Church in Beverley. The carving on their gravestone is of an easel, palette, brushes and paints. |